EDMONTON - Health experts are mystified about why Alberta hasn't joined every other province in offering a publicly funded program to protect girls from a virus that causes cervical cancer.

Doctors and some medical health officers have been lobbying for more than a year for a human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine program that could save lives and reduce health-care costs. Some fear the province has been dragging its feet because it is concerned that providing the shots could be seen as condoning sex among young people.

It's estimated that about 1,300 women contract the sexually transmitted virus each year in Canada. About 400 women die of cervical cancer annually. It is the second most common type of cancer for women between the ages of 20 and 44.

"We are really struggling with the fact the government hasn't made an announcement on this," said Dr. Michael Bow, president of the obstetrics-gynecology section of the Alberta Medical Association. Association members passed a resolution last year calling on the province to take action.

"I don't know where the holdup is. The government has spoken for years about preventative health. This is an absolute classic case of an option that would prevent disease, prevent health-care costs. Prevent cancer."

The other nine provinces have all announced HPV vaccine programs, British Columbia as recently as the last week. Four provinces already offer the vaccine and the others plan to start this fall. In most cases, the series of three shots is given to girls in school between Grades 6 and 8.

Health Canada has approved the vaccine Gardasil, and the federal government has made $300 million available to the provinces for it.

Some health officials suspect Alberta is delaying a decision because it is afraid to offer a vaccine related to sexual activity. Last year, former health minister Dave Hancock said the province would have to consider the views of people who fear the vaccine could encourage young people to have sex.

A medical officer of health for one of Alberta's nine health regions suggested the government expects some parents and groups oppose the vaccine on moral grounds.

Health Minister Ron Liepert said the province is looking at rolling out an HPV vaccine plan and may make an announcement this fall. He doesn't believe moral arguments will have much of a bearing on the government's decision because if Alberta opted to proceed with a vaccine program, it would be voluntary.

"If it were to go ahead it would be in time for the school year starting in September," Liepert said. "If there was resistance by parents, they would have the option to exempt their child from it."

Liepert suggested the delay could stem from the provincial election earlier this year. After the March 3 vote, Liepert switched departments with Hancock, who is now education minister.

The government wants to consult with school boards, regional health authorities and the Education Department before deciding on what to do, he said.

Over the last year, Alberta Health has allowed the province's health regions to form their own policies on whether to make the vaccine available for a fee. People with a prescription can also buy it.

Some health regions do not offer Gardasil at all. Some charge as much as $500 for the three shots. At least one region subsidizes much of the cost for people who want the vaccine but can't afford it.

Experts say such a varied approach to a public health issue is not fair.

"Sexually transmitted diseases don't pay attention to income. Is it correct to have a treatment available for individuals who have significant disposable income versus those who don't?" asked Dr. Barbara Romanowski, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Alberta. Personally, no, I do not think that is correct."

Bow said he is encouraging medical and health professionals to lobby the Alberta government to announce a publicly funded HPV vaccine program.

He also said it would be a shame if a program were not ready by fall. That would mean losing another year and the chance to protect another cohort of girls from possibly contracting HPV virus and cervical cancer later in life.

"We can't let it go. We have to keep up the pressure and help them (the Alberta government) understand the importance of it," Bow said.

"When all the other provinces are on board, why are we not?"

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