HPV vaccine to prevent genital warts approved for males aged 9 to 26
February 24, 2010
The Canadian Press
The vaccine manufacturer Merck says Health Canada has approved Gardasil for the prevention of genital warts caused by HPV infection in boys and men aged nine to 26.
HPV, or human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted infection and can also cause anal cancer in men.
Gardasil has already been approved for females aged nine to 26 in Canada to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts.
The vaccine is designed to prevent infection by four of the most common strains of the virus.
Merck says most genital warts are caused by two HPV strains, which are both targeted by the vaccine.
An estimated 40,000 new cases of genital warts are diagnosed each year in Canadian men and women.
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