The Manitoba government is expanding its HPV immunization program to include males.
Under the expanded program, boys and girls in Grade 6 will now be offered the HPV vaccine free of charge in schools across the province starting in September 2016.
Boys in Grade 9 will also be offered the vaccine free-of-charge for the next three years in schools.
HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that affects both males and females. While most HPV infections go away on their own, some can go on to cause cancer. The most common and most high-risk types of HPV can be prevented through immunization.
