If you're the parent of a preteen or teen, you might be wondering why the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is so important for your child's health.
HPV is a common virus that can be spread through skin-to-skin and sexual contact. Some types of HPV cause changes in the cervix, anus, throat and other areas that can lead to cancer. Many people who have an HPV infection don’t show symptoms, which means they might unknowingly pass it on to others.
Getting the HPV vaccine is one of the best ways to protect your child from certain cancers in the future; more than 70 per cent of people who haven't been vaccinated will get an HPV infection.
“Dad, I have cancer”: A father’s plea to protect youth from HPV (Island Health)
Continue reading for more information about the HPV vaccine and why you should you make sure your child gets vaccinated.