REGINA - A vaccine that can help prevent cervical cancer is now being offered for free to girls in Grades 6 and 7 in Saskatchewan.
The province is taking advantage of nearly $9 million in federal funding for the human papillomavirus vaccination program over the next three years.
After that, the provincial government will pay the tab.
Dr. Shauna Hudson of Saskatchewan Health says the vaccine, Gardasil, has been shown to be about 90 per cent effective, but adds screening still needs to be done to help prevent the disease.
Parents are being sent information on the vaccine, and then they can choose whether to have their daughters vaccinated.
As well, the Saskatchewan government will also provide a second vaccination against mumps for students in Grades 8 and 12 this school year.
