Province extending HPV vaccine to gay boys and men

VANCOUVER (NEWS 113) – The province is expanding its free HPV vaccine program to include gay boys and young men, starting in September, but straight boys will not be included.

“What we are doing here is focusing on a high-risk group of males who wouldn’t really benefit from the herd immunity we’re seeing from vaccinating females,” says provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall.

Essentially it comes down to cost, says Kendall, who explains the vast majority of straight boys and men are protected when the majority of women are vaccinated.

“What we are doing here is focusing on a high-risk group of males who wouldn’t really benefit from the herd immunity we’re seeing from vaccinating females,” says Kendall.

The national advisory committee on immunization has recommended all boys receive the vaccine, and Kendall says in an ideal world the province would be able to do that.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today