HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

BC women born in 1991-1993 are eligible for the limited, one-time only free HPV vaccine! 

A one-time human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine program is being offered to women in British Columbia born in 1991, 1992 and 1993 to protect them from cervical cancer. Read more.

Miss getting immunized against HPV in school?

Find out where you can go to get vaccinated.

Quick facts

• 40 women die in BC every year from cervical cancer
• The HPV vaccine is 98% effective against the two most common cancer causing strains, HPV 16 and 18
• Millions of doses of the HPV vaccine have been given worldwide and the vaccine continues to be safe and effective, and its benefits continue to outweigh its risks.
• The HPV vaccine is free for girls born in 1994 and later.

About the vaccine

There are two HPV vaccines licensed for use in Canada. One, Gardasil®, protects against 2 types of Human Papillomaviruses that cause most cervical cancers and a number of less common cancers such as cancers of the anus, penis, vagina and vulva. It also protects against 2 types of HPV that cause genital warts. The other, Cervarix™, provides protection against 2 cancer-causing strains.


Who is eligible to receive HPV vaccine?

The HPV vaccine Gardasil® is currently provided free to girls in BC in grade 6. This vaccine protects against four types of HPV: two types of HPV that cause 70% of cervical cancers and two types of HPV that cause 90% of genital warts. The vaccine is given in grade 6 because girls are best protected when they get the HPV vaccine before they become sexually active. In teenage girls, the lining of the reproductive tract is still developing which makes it easier for them to get infected with HPV. The vaccine prevents HPV infection, but does not get rid of it once the infection occurs. 

The HPV vaccine Cervarix® is currently provided free to women in British Columbia born in 1991, 1992 and 1993. This limited one time only HPV vaccine program is being offered to protect them from the two types of HPV that cause 70% of cervical cancers. It is best to get the HPV vaccine before becoming sexually active and coming in contact with HPV. However, the vaccine is recommended for women who are already sexually active, because they may not be infected with HPV and they are unlikely to be infected with both of the types of HPV (16 & 18) contained in the vaccine. The vaccine prevents HPV infection, but does not get rid of it once the infection occurs.  Read more: http://immunizebc.ca/diseases-vaccinations/hpv/HPV19to21

What if a girl missed getting the vaccine as part of the school program? 



The HPV vaccine Gardasil®  continues to be provided free to all girls born in/after 1994 who missed their immunizations in grade 6 or 9. Girls who have missed getting immunized during the school year can contact their local public health unit to set up an appointment for the Gardasil® vaccine.


Cervarix® is currently provided free to women in British Columbia born in 1991, 1992 and 1993. This limited one time only HPV vaccine program is being offered to protect them from the two types of HPV that cause 70% of cervical cancers. Read more: http://immunizebc.ca/diseases-vaccinations/hpv/HPV19to21

Young women born in 1991, 1992 and 1993 can contact their local public health unit, family doctor or local pharmacist to get the Cervarix® vaccine.

Who else is recommended to receive the HPV vaccine?

The Gardasil® vaccine protects against four types of HPV and is approved for females between the ages of 9 and 45 years and males between the ages of 9 and 26 years. If you are not covered by the grade six school-based program (girls born in 1994 or later) please discuss purchasing the vaccine with your immunizing health care provider. Gardasil® costs around $500 for three doses. For information on HPV vaccine in males check out the HPV vaccine and men page.

The Cervarix® vaccine protects against two types of HPV and is approved for but not provided free to females between through the ages of 10 to 25 years (inclusive). If you are not covered by the limited one time only HPV vaccine program for young women born in 1991, 1992, and 1993 please discuss purchasing the vaccine with your immunizing health care provider. Cervarix® costs around $300 for three doses.



Other Useful Vaccine Links

• Get your questions answered with 10 Common HPV Vaccine Myths
• For more information about the vaccine, who should get it, its benefits and safety, read the HealthLink BC files on HPV infection and the HPV vaccine.

Electron micrograph of human papillomavirus (HPV). Courtesy of NCI. 1986.

About the disease

• HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Three out of four sexually active women will get HPV at some point in their lives.
• Most don’t show any signs or symptoms and can pass the virus on to others without even knowing it.
• Most HPV infections will clear on their own but for some women the HPV will not go away and cells infected with the virus can become cancerous over time.

Every year in BC:

• 150 women will get cervical cancer
• 40 women will die from the disease
• 6,000 women will develop high risk changes to the cervix which are precancerous
• 10,000 invasive procedures will be done to stop cancer of the cervix from developing

HPV visualized: Comparing the safety of the HPV vaccine to the risks from the disease

Other Useful Links

• BC Centre for Disease Control
• BC Cancer Agency cervical cancer screening page
• HPVinfo.ca - Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
• It's Your Health article from the Public Health Agency of Canada
• Health Canada
• Canadian Peadiatric Society position statement on HPV
• Information in French about HPV
• Centers for Disease Control (US)