Federation of Medical Women of Canada supports Ontario's expansion of the HPV vaccination program

OTTAWA, April 26, 2016 /CNW/ - The Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC) applauds the Ontario Ministry of Health's decision to expand its publicly-funded Human Papillomavirus (HPV) program to include boys. Beginning in September 2016, the province will offer the vaccine to all boys and girls in Grade 7.

HPV is a common virus that can cause many different forms of cancer in both males and females. The FMWC has always supported the value in vaccinating males and females as an equitable public-health policy, which recognizes that both genders contribute to the transmission of HPV and can develop HPV-related diseases.

"The FMWC fully supports this announcement and program by the Ontario Ministry of Health. As strong advocates for this program, we also support the ongoing efforts of the Canadian Cancer Society" said President, Dr. Vivien Brown. "April 23 – 30 is National Immunization Awareness Week and we are reminded of the importance of immunization for all vaccine preventable diseases. We encourage those provinces who are not yet providing publicly-funded HPV vaccines to boys, to follow Ontario's example."

About the FMWC

The Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC) is a national organization committed to the professional, social and personal advancement of women physicians and to the promotion of the well-being of women both in the medical profession and in society at large.  Established in 1924, the FMWC is also an independent nation member of the Medical Women's International Association. For more information, please visit: www.fmwc.ca.

SOURCE Federation of Medical Women of Canada (FMWC)

Enquiries: Ms. Colleen Galasso, National Executive Coordinator, Federation of Medical Women of Canada, Tel: [phone], Email: [email protected], Web: www.fmwc.ca