HPV VACCINE TO PREVENT CERVICAL CANCER AVAILABLE TO GRADE 8 GIRLS THIS SEPTEMBER
Beginning this school year, grade 8 girls will be offered the HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccine called Gardasil™ free of charge from the Health Unit. The vaccine, which will help prevent cancer of the cervix, will be given, upon consent, during the School Immunization Clinics .
HPV is a very common virus from the family of viruses that causes genital warts. It is spread through sexual activity (by skin to skin contact) and up to 70% of people will have HPV at some time in their lives. Although most HPV infections will go away on their own with a good immune system, some HPV infections can cause cervical cancer.
Gardasil™ has been approved for use among females 9-26 years of age. Three doses of the vaccine are required over a 6 month period for complete protection. The vaccine is most effective if given before any type of sexual contact.
The vaccine will not prevent all cervical cancers. It is very effective at protecting against the two strains of HPV that cause about 70% of cervical cancers, as well as the two strains most commonly causing genital warts. Therefore, those immunized will still require regular Pap tests once they become sexually active to be screened for cervical cancer that may have been caused by one of the other 11 HPV strains.
The first of dose of Gardasil™will be offered during the September 2007 school clinics with subsequent doses to be offered before the end of the 2007-2008 school year. The vaccine is only government-funded (free of charge) for grade 8 girls, at this time. Other eligible individuals may purchase the 3-dose vaccine through the Thunder Bay District Health Unit for $140 per dose or through their health care provider for a total cost of $400-500 for the series. Some private health plans cover some or all of the cost.
For more information call the Vaccine Preventable Disease department at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit at 625-5971 or 625-8346.
Links for this Page:
HPV Vaccination Program - Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care
HPV Factsheet - Toronto Public Health
Comment from Canada's Chief Public Health Officer re: HPV