HPV vaccine for boys is 'not complicated,' health critic says

The NDP in Saskatchewan are pressing the provincial government to expand the use of HPV vaccine to include boys, in an effort to reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer.

• Rising cancer findings in men prompt call for equal access to HPV vaccines in Sask.

• HPV vaccine should be free for boys, says mother who paid $340

Currently, girls in Grade 6 have access to a publicly-funded HPV vaccine, but boys aren't covered. According to the information from the Canadian Cancer Society, one third of all human papillomavirus-caused cancers occur in men, commonly and increasingly as throat and mouth cancers.

That finding led to calls from the society and the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology for the government to expand the province's immunization program to include boys.

Danielle Chartier said Thursday that the province should heed that recommendation.

"It's not complicated," Chartier said. "When we knew that it would save women's lives, we vaccinated young girls. We know, now, it will save boys' lives and we need to vaccinate boys."

Chartier said such a move would also provide long term savings to the health care system, by potentially reducing the number of cancers needing treatment.

According to Health Minister Jim Reiter, Saskatchewan spends about $700,000 to $800,000 per year providing the vaccine to girls. He said his officials will consider the idea of expanding the vaccination program.

"It's under consideration," Reiter said Thursday, providing much the same response as he had the day before when he said he thought boys and girls should be treated equally. "We'll make a decision in due course."

Reiter said he wants a full report from officials on the topic adding he wants to know why some provinces have expanded their vaccination programs and others have not.