The Fraser Health authority is stepping up its vaccine campaign for the human papillomavirus, now offering it to all eligible students from Grade 6 through 12.
The vaccine provides protection against the virus that is a common infection linked to several different types of cancer.
Medical health officer Doctor Maulik Baxi says the vaccination offers more than 95 per cent protection when people receive it at a young age.
H-P-V is a common infection spread through the mouth and skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity.