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The HPV vaccine, 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 HPV vaccine is provided free to girls in B.C. in grade 6 because:
Girls born in 1994 or later who missed getting the HPV vaccine may contact their local health unit to get vaccinated at no cost.
The HPV vaccine, Gardasil™, is also approved for but not provided free to the following people:
Those not covered by the school-based program can speak with their health care provider about how to purchase the vaccine privately.
It is best to get the HPV vaccine before becoming sexually active and coming in contact with HPV; however, people who are sexually active may still benefit from the vaccine. The vaccine does not treat HPV infections.
In those who have never been infected with HPV, the Gardasil™ vaccine prevents:
The vaccine is safe, very effective and has few side effects.
| It is important for women to get regular Pap tests once they become sexually active because the HPV vaccine protects against most but not all cancers of the cervix. |
Common reactions may include soreness, redness and swelling in the arm where the shot was given, headache and fever.
For any vaccine, there is an extremely rare possibility of a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. This may include hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the throat, tongue, lips or eyes. If this happens, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. This reaction can be treated, and occurs in less than one in a million people who get the vaccine. It is important to stay in the clinic setting for 15 minutes after getting any vaccine.
Report serious or unexpected reactions to your health care provider.
| Acetaminophen or Tylenol® can be given for fever or soreness. ASA or Aspirin® should NOT be given to anyone under 20 years of age due to the risk of Reye Syndrome. |
The vaccine is not recommended for:
HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Three out of 4 sexually active people will get HPV at some point in their lives.
Anyone who has any kind of sexual activity involving oral or genital contact can get HPV. Sexual intercourse is not necessary to get infected.
Every year in BC:
It is recommended that parents or guardians and their children discuss consent for immunization. Efforts are first made to seek parental/guardian or representative consent prior to immunization. However, children under the age of 19, who are able to understand the benefits and possible reactions for each vaccine and the risk of not getting immunized, can legally consent to or refuse immunizations.
For more information, see HealthLink BC File #101a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection.
For more information on immunizations visit Immunize BC at www.immunizebc.ca.
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For more HealthLink BC File topics, visit www.HealthLinkBC.ca/healthfiles/index.stm or your local public health unit. Click on www.HealthLinkBC.ca or call 8-1-1 for non-emergency health information and services in B.C. For deaf and hearing-impaired assistance, call 7-1-1 in B.C. Translation services are available in more than 130 languages on request. |
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