Date last reviewed:
Friday, Dec 01, 2023
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ABOUT THE VACCINE
What is the HPV vaccine?
The HPV vaccine helps protect against a very common virus called the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are over 100 types of HPV. Most types cause no symptoms and go away on their own. But some types can cause health problems like cancer and genital warts. The HPV vaccine protects against the HPV types that cause most of these health problems.
The HPV vaccine used in BC’s routine immunization program is the HPV9 vaccine, also known as Gardasil® 9. This vaccine protects against 9 different types of HPV. It protects against 7 types that can cause cancers of the cervix, anus, mouth and throat, penis, vagina, and vulva, and 2 types that can cause genital warts.
Who should get the HPV9 vaccine?
All preteens/teens need the HPV vaccine so they are protected before they are exposed to HPV.
In BC, the HPV9 vaccine is routinely offered for free to all students in grade 6. The vaccine is given at school clinics.
Students who miss getting the vaccine in grade 6 remain eligible for the free vaccine as long as they get their first dose before they turn 19 and their last dose before they turn 26. The exception to this is males born in the first half of 2005 (January to June), who have until June 30, 2024, to get their first dose.
Those who miss getting the HPV vaccine in grade 6 can contact their local health unit, community health centre, or pharmacy to make an appointment to get vaccinated.
The HPV vaccine can be given as early as 9 years of age to those at high risk of HPV exposure.
Fact
Early protection works best!
The HPV vaccine is routinely given in grade 6 so that children are protected long before they are exposed to HPV. Also, preteens produce more antibodies after HPV vaccination than older teens. This means they will be better protected against cancer later in life.
The HPV9 vaccine is also recommended and free for:
- HIV-positive people 9-26 years of age who have not received a complete series of the vaccine.
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Males 19-26 years of age who are:
- Men who have sex with men (including those who are not yet sexually active and are questioning their sexual orientation).
- Street involved.
- Two-Spirit, transgender, and non-binary people 19-26 years of age.
The HPV9 vaccine is recommended, but not free (unless mentioned above), for:
- Women 19-45 years of age.
- Males 19-26 years of age
- Males 27 years of age and older who have sex with men.
Women 46 years of age and older and men 27 years of age and older who want protection against HPV can purchase the vaccine. Speak with your health care provider.
People who aren’t eligible for the free vaccine can buy it at most pharmacies, travel clinics, and some sexual health clinics. Some health plans cover the cost of the HPV vaccine.
How many doses of the HPV9 vaccine are needed?
The HPV vaccine is given as 2 or 3 doses over 6 months.
- Children who get their first dose before their 15th birthday need 2 doses at least 6 months apart.
- People who get their first dose after their 15th birthday and those with a weakened immune system need 3 doses.
Can I get the vaccine if I'm already sexually active?
The HPV vaccine works best when given before any sexual activity and exposure to HPV. But, if you are already sexually active, you could still benefit from HPV vaccination. Even if you have 1 type of HPV, the vaccine can protect you from other types you do not have.
The HPV vaccine prevents new HPV infections but does not treat existing HPV infections or diseases.
The HPV vaccine works!
The HPV vaccine works very well. Studies in Canada and other countries with HPV vaccine programs have shown that the vaccine prevents:
- Cancer-causing HPV infections.
- Cervical pre-cancers.
- Genital warts.
HPV vaccine safety
The HPV vaccine is safe. Vaccines are approved for use in Canada only if they meet very strict standards for safety and effectiveness. The HPV vaccine was well studied in clinical trials. It was only approved for use in Canada after the studies showed it was safe and effective. Since approval, millions of doses of HPV vaccines have been given worldwide, and vaccine safety monitoring has continued to show that the HPV vaccine is safe.
Fact
The HPV vaccine is very safe.
More than 200 million doses of the HPV vaccine have been given safely worldwide. Over 15 years of safety monitoring show that the HPV vaccine is very safe and effective.
HPV vaccine side effects
Like any vaccine or medicine, HPV vaccines can have side effects. Side effects of the HPV vaccine are similar to other vaccines and can include:
- Pain, redness, or swelling in the arm where the vaccine was given.
- Fever.
- Dizziness or fainting.
- Nausea.
- Headache or feeling tired.
- Muscle or joint pain.
These side effects are usually mild and go away in a day or two. Serious side effects, like a severe allergic reaction, are very rare.
There is no evidence that HPV vaccines cause infertility, autoimmune diseases, or other health problems.
Who should not get the HPV vaccine?
Speak with your health care provider if you or your child has had a life-threatening reaction to a previous dose of the HPV vaccine or any part of the vaccine, including yeast. People who are pregnant should not get the vaccine.
There is no need to delay getting immunized because of a cold or other mild illness, but if you have concerns, speak with your health care provider.
Where to get the HPV vaccine
- Grade 6 children get the HPV vaccine at school vaccination clinics. If your child missed getting vaccinated at school, you can contact your local health unit, community health centre, or pharmacy to make an appointment to get them vaccinated.
- Others eligible for the publicly-funded (free) HPV vaccine can get it from most pharmacies, health units and community health centres. Some doctors' offices and sexual health clinics also have the vaccine.
- People who aren’t eligible for the free vaccine can buy it at most pharmacies, travel clinics, and some sexual health clinics. Some health plans cover the cost of the HPV vaccine.
What types of HPV vaccines are there?
There are 2 HPV vaccines approved for use in Canada, Gardasil 9 (HPV9) and Cervarix (HPV2).
- Gardasil 9 (HPV9) protects against 9 types of HPV and is free in BC for those eligible. People not eligible for the free HPV9 vaccine can purchase it at most pharmacies, travel clinics, and some sexual health clinics. The vaccine costs about $200 per dose. Gardasil 9 is approved for use in both females and males.
- Cervarix (HPV2) protects against 2 types of HPV and is not free. A small amount of this vaccine is available for purchase in BC from select pharmacies. This vaccine costs about $100 per dose. Cervarix is approved for use in females only.
Both vaccines protect against the 2 types of HPV that cause most HPV cancers. These types cause about 70% of cases of cervical cancer and 80% of cases of anal cancer. The HPV9 vaccine protects against 5 additional types of HPV types that cause 15% to 20% of cervical cancers and 11% of anal cancers in women and 4% in men. The HPV9 vaccine also protects against 2 types of HPV that cause about 90% of cases of genital warts.
ABOUT THE DISEASE
What is HPV?
HPV stands for human papillomavirus. It is a very common virus that spreads through intimate skin-to-skin contact. Anyone who has any kind of sexual activity with another person involving oral, genital, or anal contact can get HPV. Sexual intercourse is not necessary to get infected. Since the infection often has no signs or symptoms, you may not be able to tell if you or your partner is infected.
About 3 out of 4 unimmunized sexually active people will get HPV at some point in their lives. HPV infection is most common in people in their late teens and early 20s.
Some HPV infections can lead to cancer and genital warts
Most often, an HPV infection will clear on its own, but sometimes it doesn't and can cause cancer over time. HPV infections can cause cancers of the cervix, anus, mouth and throat, vagina, vulva, and penis. HPV infections can also cause genital warts. There are many different types of HPV. The types that cause cancer are not the same as the types that cause genital warts.
Every year in BC, about:
- 200 people will get cervical cancer, and 50 will die from the disease.
- 6,000 people will develop high-risk changes to the cervix, which are precancerous.
- Over 450,000 people will undergo Pap tests, and over 14,000 will need further follow-up. Follow-up may include more Pap tests and other procedures to stop cancer of the cervix from developing.
- 110 people will get anal cancer, and 20 will die from the disease
- 5,500 people will develop genital warts.
MORE INFORMATION
HPV VACCINE VIDEOS
Cancer Prevention
Video courtesy of BC Cancer.
French | Mandarin | Punjabi | Cantonese
We Can Be the First
HPV: Our Family's Story
Audra and her aunt Laura are strong believers in the HPV vaccine, for a good reason: Gisel, Audra's mother and Laura's older sister, died from cervical cancer at only 38.
HPV VACCINE POSTER
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