June 29, 2009 - The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term (MOHLTC) has extended the eligibility for grade eight females to receive the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination series. 

Grade eight female students who start the HPV series by August 31 of this year are still eligible to receive any outstanding vaccinations at no charge to ensure they receive the three doses needed for full protection. However, there is a deadline for completing the series.

Students may catch up their second or third dose in grade nine, but must have the series completed before September 1, 2010, in order to have the cost of the vaccine covered by the province of Ontario.  The eligibility extension is the result of an MOHLTC directive aimed at promoting access to the HPV vaccine.

The vaccine is offered locally through Health Unit school clinics. Students who need to start the HPV series before August 31 of this year or those students who require any outstanding doses can visit the Health Unit’s Wednesday walk-in immunization clinic between 1:30 and 6:00 p.m.

This is the second year of the HPV vaccination program which makes the vaccine available at no cost to all grade eight females in Ontario.

HPV is a very common virus transmitted through sexual activity. The HPV vaccine offered in Ontario is called Gardasil® and is manufactured by Merck Frosst®. It protects against four strains of HPV, two of which are associated with 70% of cervical cancers. Combined with regular Pap screenings, the HPV vaccine is an important medical advancement that makes cervical cancer a preventable disease.

Questions about the HPV vaccine can be directed to the Health Unit’s Vaccine Preventable Disease program at 625-5971 or 1-88-294-6630, ext. 5971.  Additional information, including answers to frequently asked questions, is available at the MOHLTC HPV website, www.hpvontario.ca

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