Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a family of very common and contagious viruses. There are more than 100 different types of HPV and while most are usually harmless, some can cause genital warts and some can lead to cervical cancer.
HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in Canada and in the world today. Unfortunately most sexually active people who have HPV are unaware that they have it, so the infection is often passed on to partners without even knowing it.
A new vaccine is now available for girls in grade 8 that will protect them from HPV types 16 and 18, which are responsible for an estimated 70 per cent of cervical cancers, as well as types 6 and 11, which cause 90 per cent of genital warts.
The vaccine is a three-part series that will be offered to grade 8 girls with signed consent forms in Simcoe Muskoka schools beginning this fall.
While the vaccine is currently only funded for girls in grade 8, it is available at a fee of about $400 through health care providers. Some insurance companies cover the cost of the vaccine.
