Young men can now get their HPV vaccine — just like young women.
Health Canada has recently approved the HPV vaccine for men ages 9 thru 26 to fight against Human Papilloma virus.
The vaccine is in stock at the Grey Bruce Health Unit and Public Immunization Nurse Sandy Rennick says its important for men to get the shot as it is for women.
Rennick says not to be alarmed at the age the vaccine if offered as even though the vaccine is allowed to 9 years old and up — does not mean the children are sexually active, rather are preventing future disease.
Rennick says although the vaccine has been approved by Health Canada, it is not provincially funded.
So for those males that would like the vaccine there is a cost of 150-dollars per shot.
She adds though many health plans will cover the cost of the shot and people should look into it.
Rennick says not to worry about getting the shot as there is very few side effects — just mainly a bit of swelling in the area the shot was taken – and testing has proven the shot very safe.
HPV is the cause of 70 per cent of cervical cancer and 90 per cent of genital warts.
Rennick says the vaccine is available through the Grey Bruce Health Unit or many family physicians.
