Adult Pertussis Booster
Find out how to protect yourself and the children around you.
Expanded Immunization Program
New and expanded Ontario Immunization Program.
Vaccine Preventable Diseases
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
- What is HPV?
- Protecting Against HPV through Immunization
- HPV Vaccination Program
- How to Prevent an HPV Infection
- Learn More About HPV and the HPV Vaccine
What is HPV?
- Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a virus that infects the skin and genital area. More than 130 types of HPV have been identified, only a few of which are considered high risk. Some infect the skin and can produce warts and some infect the genital area and can produce genital warts, changes to the cervix, or cervical cancer. More than 30 of these viruses are sexually transmitted.
- About 70 per cent of adults will have had at least one genital HPV infection over their lifetime.
- Infection with HPV increases your risk of cervical cancer 20 to 100 times. It has also been linked to other cancers such as vulvar, penile and anal cancer.
- There is no known cure for HPV infections, but many people who have healthy immune systems will eventually clear the infection from their bodies.
- HPV is often a "silent" infection, because many people with HPV will have no obvious signs of infection. These people can still transmit the virus, even when they do not have any symptoms of infection.
- Regular Pap testing can help to identify changes in the cells of the cervix. These changes can be treated or followed more closely. If these changes are not identified early, there is a possibility that they can progress to cancer. Every year, about 500 women in Ontario are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 140 will die from the disease. Across Canada, about 1,400 females are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and about 400 will die from the disease.
Protecting Against HPV through Immunization
- In July 2006, Health Canada approved a new HPV vaccine that provides protection against four types of HPV:
- HPV types 16 and 18, which are considered high risk and responsible for 70 per cent of cervical cancers.
- HPV types 6 and 11, which are low risk (no link to cancer) but are responsible for 90 per cent of genital warts.
- According to the vaccine manufacturer, the HPV vaccine is close to 100 per cent effective in preventing HPV infection with types 16 and 18, which are linked to cervical cancer, cervical dysplasia (abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix), and in preventing genital warts caused by HPV types 16, 18, 6 and 11.
- The vaccine is most effective when given to females before they become sexually active and are exposed to an HPV infection.
- The HPV vaccine is one of two vaccines available that may help prevent cancer. The other vaccine is the Hepatitis B vaccine, which is effective in protecting against hepatitis B infection – a leading risk factor for liver cancer.
- Studies have shown the vaccine to be safe and those who have received the vaccine report few side effects. The most common side effect was a brief soreness at the site of injection.
- The vaccine does not contain the virus. It contains only particles from part of the virus, so you cannot be infected by the virus from the vaccine.
- The vaccine does not contain any preservative or antibiotics, including thimerosal or mercury.
- This vaccine is currently licensed for use in females aged 9 to 45 years, and in males aged 9 to 26 years. The vaccine involves three doses over the course of four to six months. The second and third doses are given at least one and four months (respectively) after the first dose.
- Recent studies indicate good protection against HPV types in the vaccine for five years of follow-up. Studies are ongoing to determine if further immunization is needed for vaccinated women to have continued protection.
- The HPV vaccine can be given at the same time as the Hepatitis B vaccine. According to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, the vaccine can be safely administered at the same visit as other age-appropriate vaccines.
HPV Vaccination Program
- On August 2, 2007, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) announced a free immunization program for HPV vaccine to be offered by local health departments at school-based clinics to grade 8 girls.
- In September 2007, Peel Public Health started offering the vaccine to grade 8 girls in school-based clinics in Peel.
- Vaccination against HPV is voluntary.
- Although some media attention related to the announcement of the HPV vaccine program has questioned whether this initiative is the best place to spend available resources, studies have shown this vaccine to be safe and effective and very likely to have a positive impact on the health outcomes for individuals.
- The primary goal of providing this provincially funded vaccine is to decrease the incidence of cervical cancer; the decreased incidence of genital warts is a secondary benefit.
- Eligible students with valid consent will be administered three doses of the vaccine. In Peel, the first dose will be administered at the time of the hepatitis B clinics scheduled for early fall; the second dose will be in November/December; and the third dose at the time of the hepatitis B/meningitis C clinics in the spring.
- Peel Public Health will make efforts to accommodate grade 8 girls who are not in traditional school settings, e.g., home schooled.
- Individuals that are not eligible for the publicly funded vaccine (or grade 8 girls who do not wish to receive the vaccine in a school-based clinic) are able to access the vaccine through their family physicians for a fee. The cost of the vaccine is not covered by OHIP. Only the doctor’s fee to give the injection is covered by OHIP. Costs may vary and are estimated to be approximately $150 per dose; $450 for all three doses. Many private insurance companies are covering the cost of the vaccine. Individuals should confirm with their insurer prior to obtaining the vaccine through their family doctor to determine amount of coverage, if any.
- Although the vaccine provides protection against HPV, it is not a replacement for cervical cancer screening. Regular cervical cancer screening through Pap tests, combined with the vaccine, provide the best protection against cervical cancer. The school immunization clinic schedule is available through the school or Peel Public Health.
How to Prevent an HPV Infection
- Females between 9 to 45 years and males between 9 to 26 years of age should consider being immunized.
- The only sure way to prevent HPV is to abstain from all sexual activity. Sexually active adults can reduce their risk by being in a mutually faithful relationship with someone who has had no other or few sex partners, or by limiting their number of sex partners. But even persons with only one lifetime sex partner can get HPV, if their partner has had previous partners.
- The use of latex and polyurethane condoms may reduce your risk of getting HPV, as well as preventing other sexually transmitted infections. However, remember that the areas of skin not covered by the condom are not protected.
- Regular Pap tests and follow-up can prevent most, but not all, cases of cervical cancer. Pap tests can detect cell changes in the cervix before they turn into cancer. Pap tests can also detect most, but not all, cervical cancers at an early, curable stage.
Learn More About HPV and the HPV Vaccine
Immunize On Time. Report Every Time.
Revised: Friday November 04 2011
