Liberal Opposition Health and Community Services Critic, Dwight Ball, says he is pleased to see the announcement of the HPV Vaccine Program by government earlier this week, but feels access to the vaccine for the first year should be expanded to include young women from Grades 7 and 8. 

Following months of delay, the Department of Health and Community Services indicated on Monday that it intends to offer the vaccination only to girls in Grade 6 beginning in the Fall. The three-dose vaccine has  shown to be effective in preventing nearly 70 per cent of cervical cancer.   

AThis drug is a very important disease preventative measure and it is the department=s responsibility to ensure that as many young women have access to this immunization to prevent further spread of this  virus,@ says Ball. AGiven its effectiveness and the fairly low cost associated with administrating the program, I would highly recommend that government expand the program to include young women in Grades 7 and 8 at the very least, with just Grade 6 after year one.  This would ensure that incidents of the disease are radically reduced in this province, which has one of the highest rates of cervical cancer across the country.@ 

The Liberal MHA says it would be unfortunate if access to this vaccine for women in this province was restricted because of financial concerns. The price of the drug has been estimated to be close to $500 for each person.  AWe have a valuable tool here to fight one type of cancer and it is critical that as many women as possible benefit from this new drug, especially those from families who lack the resources needed for optimal health.@   

Ball is also calling on government to ensure that an awareness program for teachers, parents and young women are part of the vaccination program to help educate, as well as allay any concerns.   The awareness program should also include the importance of women having an annual pap smear as a preventative measure against cervical cancer.  AThe low participation rate of women in this province receiving a routine pap smear has also to be addressed as a priority by government, not just in schools but throughout the province.  

AAn expanded HPV vaccination program, complemented by an awareness program about this vaccine and the need for a regular pap smear are very valuable investments in women=s health.  If we have the tools at hand to save the health care system money down the road and more importantly to save the lives of women, I believe it would be irresponsible of us not to include them in our policies and programs advancing good health.@