Health Canada now has approved the human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil for use in males ages nine through 26. Gardasil targets four HPV strains that are responsible for most cases of genital warts and cervical cancer.

The vaccine was approved for use in females of this age range in Canada in 2007, and since then provinces across the nation have been inoculating girls in school-based clinics. Health Canada said an ongoing review of data could result in the school programs offering the vaccine to boys as well.

Data on the success of the effort in Canada are limited. In Australia, however, where an estimated 70 percent of women under age 28 have been vaccinated, research has documented a reduction in the incidence of genital warts.

"Since 2008, there has been a substantial and significant decline in genital warts in women 28 years of age and younger," according to the study.

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