HPV Prevention

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Prevention Week occurs annually from October 1 to 7 to raise awareness about HPV and HPV-related cancers. As this Week ends, Hamilton Public Health is asking for your continued support to increase patient awareness about HPV and encourage uptake of the HPV vaccine among Hamilton students in grade 7 to 12.

The HPV vaccine is highly effective at preventing HPV-related cancers and genital warts. As a health care provider, you play an important role in promoting confidence in HPV vaccination and your strong recommendation can significantly influence vaccine acceptance and uptake.

Gardasil®9 (HPV-9) protects against nine HPV types (6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58) associated with HPV-related cancers and genital warts. In Ontario, the HPV vaccine is publicly funded for students beginning September 1st in Grade 7 and up to August 31st of their grade 12 year. Individuals who meet high risk criteria are also eligible for the publicly funded HPV vaccine (i.e., men who have sex with men up to age 26). For further guidance, please refer to Publicly Funded Immunization Schedules for Ontario June 2022.

Most students in Hamilton will be offered the HPV vaccine by a Public Health Nurse at school-based immunization clinics. Students who do not receive this vaccine at school may have questions or wish to receive it from their healthcare provider. We encourage you to opportunistically discuss and promote HPV vaccination to students and offer vaccination to those who wish to be vaccinated in your clinical setting.

HPV vaccine can be ordered by submitting the School Vaccines Order Form to [email protected] or by fax to 905-546-3472.

Key Points When Recommending HPV Vaccination

• The vaccine is highly effective: When administered before first exposure to HPV, the vaccine is 97% effective at preventing HPV-related cancers, including oropharyngeal, cervical, vaginal, vulvar, penile and anal cancer.
• The vaccine is safe: Since its introduction in 2006, more than 250 million doses of the HPV vaccine have been administered worldwide, with extensive monitoring confirming its strong safety profile.
• The vaccine offers protection for everyone: the HPV vaccine offers protection females, males, Two-Spirit, and gender diverse people, reducing the overall spread of HPV in the community.
• The vaccine is free for eligible students and some young adults: In Ontario, HPV is publicly funded for students in Grades 7 to 12, up to August 31 of their Grade 12 year. It is also publicly funded for men who have sex with men up to age 26.
• Providers should recommend and direct people to vaccination: Eligible individuals can receive HPV vaccine through school-based immunization programs, through their healthcare provider, or at Hamilton Public Health vaccine and sexual health clinics for those with barriers to accessing vaccination elsewhere.

Enclosed is an infographic you may post in your office and use to support conversations with your patients and their families about HPV cancer prevention through vaccination. Continued advocacy for HPV vaccination helps protect against HPV-related cancers and other preventable diseases in the Hamilton Community.

If you have any questions, please contact Hamilton Public Health at 905-540-5250 or email us at [email protected].

References

• Government of Canada: Canadian Immunization guide (August 1, 2024). Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines: Canadian Immunization Guide. Ottawa: Public Health Agency of Canada.
• https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadian-immunization-guide-part-4-active-vaccines/page-9-human-papillomavirus-vaccine.html
• Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (June 2022). Publicly Funded Immunization Schedules for Ontario. Catalogue Number 300270. Queen’s Printer for Ontario. Available: https://www.ontario.ca/files/2024-01/moh-publicly-funded-immunization-schedule-en-2024-01-23.pdf
• World Health Organization, 2024. Questions and Answers about human papilloma virus, second edition. Questions and answers about human papillomavirus, second edition