Frequently Asked Questions

Who should get HPV vaccine?

The vaccine is approved for females between the ages of nine and 26 years of age. The vaccine is best for females before they become sexually active and are potentially exposed to HPV.

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is providing the vaccine free to girls in grade 8. Other females can go to their doctor or health care provider and pay for the vaccine. Some private insurance companies may cover the cost of the vaccine.

Who should not get the HPV vaccine?

 A health care provider may delay or decide not to give the vaccine to:

• Anyone with a high fever or serious infection worse than a cold. They should delay having the vaccine until they are better.
• Anyone who has had a serious reaction (anaphylaxis) to this vaccine in the past.
• Anyone with a severe allergy to any component of this vaccine: Gardasil^® contains: aluminum, sodium chloride, L-histidine, polysorbate-80, sodium borate.
• Anyone who has a disease or is taking a medication that lowers the body’s ability to fight infections should seek the advice of their healthcare provider.
• Pregnant women.

 What are the side effects of the vaccine?

Serious side effects are rare. The most common side effects of this vaccine include pain, redness, swelling and itching where the needle was given. Other common side effects can include headache, fever, nausea and dizziness.

This is not a complete list of side effects. You should always discuss the risks and benefits of any vaccine with your health care professional.

Acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be taken to reduce discomfort or fever. Always follow package directions. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA or Aspirin®) must not be given to children under 18 years of age. If symptoms worsen or continue please seek medical attention and notify the health unit.

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Why is this vaccine important?

HPV viruses are very common. So much so that more than 50 per cent of women and men will have this type of infection at one point of their life or another, and between 15 and 40 per cent of women have HPV at any one time. About the same proportion of Canadian men are believed to have HPV.

According to the Canadian Cancer Society/National Cancer Institute of Canada, about 1,350 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer this year, and another 390 will die from the disease. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) states that thousands more women will be diagnosed with pre-cancerous conditions and more than 400,000 will receive abnormal Pap test results.

How effective is this vaccine?

The HPV vaccine provides protection against infection from HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. When the proper recommended schedule is followed, the HPV vaccine is almost 100 per cent effective against diseases caused by the HPV types in the vaccine. (The vaccine types are responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts). Any deviation from the recommended schedule such as missed or late doses, or previous infection with one or more types of HPV included in the vaccine, may lessen the effectiveness of this vaccine. HPV vaccine does not provide treatment for HPV-related disease. If a girl or woman is already infected with one of the HPV types included in the vaccine she will not be protected from that type of HPV infection or disease that may result from that infection. But it is still worth while receiving the vaccine since it will offer protection again the other types.

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What is in the vaccine?

Along with the active HPV ingredient are the following inactive ingredients:

• Aluminum – used to enhance the direct immune response of the vaccine in the body
• Sodium chloride – salt water
• L-histidine – amino acid
• Polysorbate-80 – emulsifying agent
• Sodium borate – stabilizing agent
• Yeast – used to culture the virus – not used in the final production of the vaccine.

These components are included in the composition and manufacturing of the vaccine to ensure its effectiveness. For more detailed information on the vaccine components contact Merck Frosst at (514) 428-8600, 1-800-567-2594 or http://www.merckfrosst.ca/mfcl/en/global/contact.html

How long has the vaccine been available?

The Gardasil^® vaccine was licensed in Canada in the summer of 2006. The vaccine has previously been licensed in countries including the United States , Great Britain and Australia .

How many doses of the vaccine are needed?

The vaccine requires three doses to be given over six months. The first dose should be given at a chosen date, the second dose two months after the first (minimum 1 month) and the third dose six months after the first (minimum 3 months). If a dose is missed or given late, it is recommended that all three doses be given within 12 months of the initial dose.

Is there a fee for the vaccine?

There is no fee for the vaccine for Ontario girls in grade 8. Grade 8 girls will receive the vaccine through the publicly funded school program, provided they have a signed consent form.

There is a fee for the vaccine for those who are not in grade 8 this school year. The cost for the vaccine series is about $400. Some health plans may cover the cost of the vaccine. To determine if this vaccine is covered by your health care plan, contact your provider and give them the product DIN : 02283190.

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Does my child have to get the vaccine?

NO. The HPV vaccine is not mandatory. It is up to you and your daughter to decide if she will receive the vaccine or not. Review the information about HPV, as well as the vaccine, so that you can make an informed decision.

Is there an alternative to the vaccine?

Protection from HPV can be increased by use of a condom during sexual activity, however it does not provide complete protection. HPV is spread through skin-to-skin contact and a condom may not protect all areas of contact. Abstaining from sex or limiting your number of sexual partners will decrease your chances of contracting HPV. Encourage new sexual partners to be tested for all sexually transmitted infections before you have sexual contact.

I have an older child, is the vaccine free for them?

No. The HPV vaccine is not publicly funded for children who are not in grade 8. Your child can receive the vaccine at a cost from your physician or health care provider.

Can my child have the vaccine at my doctor’s office?

You can make arrangements to have the HPV vaccine at your doctor’s office, however it is not publicly funded for anyone other than grade 8 girls. This means that the vaccine will have a fee. Some health insurance companies may provide coverage for this vaccine. This vaccine is only publicly funded for the grade 8 school program offered by the local public health unit.

What if my child misses a dose at the school?

If your child misses a dose at the school clinic for unforeseen reasons your child can receive the missed dose at the health unit. It is the responsibility of the student or parent to book the appointment with the health unit to receive the missed dose of the vaccine. It is important to remember that the vaccine is not complete until three doses have been given and that the three doses should be given within one year of the first dose.

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If I choose not to let my child get the vaccine in grade 8, can she have it later?

If you choose not to have your child vaccinated in grade 8 your child will not receive the vaccine in the publicly funded program. Your child may receive this vaccine through their health care provider at a cost. The vaccine is presently only funded through the school program for female students in grade 8.

Why are the grade 8 students getting the vaccine and not all teenage girls?

The province made the decision to provide the HPV vaccine to female students in Grade 8 after evaluating details including where the vaccine will be most beneficial and cost effective. The vaccine will be available at a cost for girls who are not presently in Grade 8. The vaccine program is intended to run for a minimum of three years, which means that if your child will be in Grade 8 during that three-year window, they will be able to receive the vaccine through the school immunization program.

Does my child need this vaccine if they are not sexually active?

The HPV vaccine is most effective before girls become sexually active, and before they have been exposed to HPV. The HPV vaccine can help prevent the two strains most responsible for genital warts and help prevent the two strains most responsible for cervical cancer, but it is not a treatment for HPV. It is important to reinforce safe and healthy sexual behaviour with our children before and after they become sexually active, regardless of whether or not they receive the HPV vaccine.

Can my son receive the vaccine?

The HPV vaccine is not licensed to be given to boys at this point in time. Vaccine trials are currently being conducted to determine if the vaccine is effective in preventing HPV in boys. Presently the goal of the HPV vaccine is to prevent cervical cancer in girls and women.

Will my child need a booster in the future?

At this time the vaccine is a three-dose series. It is not known if a booster shot will be required in the future.

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Does the vaccine replace regular health screening and testing?

NO. The vaccine only protects against four types of HPV. There are many other types of HPV strains that may cause infection, as well as other STIs. Regular pap tests and screening are important for sexual health, as are safe sex practices and education.

If I am already infected is the vaccine safe to receive?

Yes. The vaccine is still safe to receive as it is unlikely that you are infected with all the types of HPV the vaccine provides protection for. Testing to see if you are already affected by one of the types of HPV included in the vaccine is not widely available. HPV is not treated by the vaccine.

Can I still get cervical cancer if I get this vaccine?

Yes. The vaccine only provides protection against HPV types 16 and 18 which cause 70 per cent of all cervical cancers. Infection caused by other ‘high-risk’ types of HPV can still lead to cervical cancer, so it is still important that women continue to follow their doctor’s recommendations for regular Pap tests, which screen for cervical cell changes leading to cervical cancer.

Will the vaccine protect against other STI ’s like Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)?

No. Although the names appear to be similar and both are sexually transmitted infections, the HPV vaccine will not provide any protection from these or any other STIs. It is important to inform and educate, as well as maintain and encourage safe sex practises, to provide protection from these and other STIs.

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