HPV Vaccine
The HPV vaccine prevents cervical cancer. It provides protection against four
types of
HPV virus:
- types 16 and 18 that cause about 70% of cervical cancers
- types 6 and 11 that cause about 90% of genital warts
Vaccine Schedule
The HPV immunization is offered free of charge to all girls in grade 4. A catch-up program will also be offered over the next 5 years for girls in grades 9-12.
The vaccine is given at school as a series of three doses over a six-month period. At this time, HPV vaccine is only licensed for use in girls and younger women.
Possible Side Effects
Some people may have mild side effects such as pain, redness, itchiness and swelling at the place where the needle was given. Less commonly, a slight fever, nausea, dizziness, headache or vomiting may occur.
Side effects are usually mild to moderate and only last for a day or two. As
with other
vaccines fainting has occurred infrequently. Also, unexpected or unusual
reactions can occur. Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) are rare, occurring
at an estimated annual rate of one report per 1,000,000 doses of vaccine in
Canada.
Resources
- The facts about Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and HPV Vaccine (PDF - 290.08 KB)
-
HPV Vaccine: Addressing the Misconceptions
(PDF - 150.63 KB) - HPV Prevalence Study: The rate of HPV and its impact on cervical cancer in the Northwest Territories (PDF - 1.15 MB)