N.S. To Give Young Women Vaccine Against Virus Connected to Cervical Cancer

HALIFAX (CP) – Nova Scotia is launching a publicly funded vaccination program for the human papilloma virus or HPV, the leading cause of cervical cancer.

Beginning this fall, girls in Grade 7 will be given three doses of the HPV vaccine over a six-month period as part of the province’s school-based vaccination program. The HPV vaccine is not mandatory and requires consent – just like all public health vaccinations.

The province says the girls will be among the first in Canada to receive a publicly funded vaccination for HPV.

HPV, which causes genital warts and cervical cancer, is a common virus transmitted through sexual activity.

Most HPV infections go away on their own, but some types cause persistent infection and create a risk for cervical cancer.