Are You Eligible for Publicly-funded HPV vaccines in B.C.?
- northvancouvertravelclinic
- Jun 29, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 8
By North Vancouver Travel Clinic (address: 302-1150 Marine Drive, North Vancouver )
Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV) protects against:
Gardasil 9 covers HPV strains 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 and is indicated to protect against:
● Cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancers caused by strains 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58.
● Genital warts caused by strains 6 and 11.
● Precancerous lesions caused by strains 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58
Who should get the vaccine:
In British Columbia, the HPV vaccine is provided to children as part of their grade 6 routine immunization program. The series starts between the ages of 9 and 14 years for all children. However, routine and catch-up vaccinations are recommended up to age 45 for females and males.
In addition to Grade 6 students, the vaccine is indicated and provided free in BC to the following individuals:
Those who do NOT commence a series in grade 6 are eligible to initiate a series prior to age 19 (for males, born in 2006 or later), but not thereafter.
A series commenced prior to age 19 may be completed with publicly funded HPV vaccine prior to the 26th birthday.
HIV positive individuals 9-26 years of age (inclusive) who have not received a completed series of HPV vaccine
Males 9-26 years of age (inclusive) at the time of series commencement who are:
Men who have sex with men (including those who are not yet sextually active and are questioning their sexual orientation)
Street involved
Males 9-18 years of age (inclusive) in the care of the Ministry of Children and Family Development
Males in youth custody services centers
Transgender individuals 9-26 years of age (inclusive)
The vaccine is also recommended but NOT provided free in BC for:
● Women 19-45 years of age
● Males 9-26 years of age (Who are not indicated above)
● Males 27 years of age and older who are men who have sex with men
Administration:
Immunocompetent individuals 9-14 years of age (inclusive): 2 doses given as 0.5 mL intramuscularly, separated by at least 6 months
Those initiating immunization prior to their 15th birthday should be immunized using a 2-dose series
If the interval in a 2-dose schedule is less than 5 months (150 days), a 3rd dose should be given at least 24 weeks after the 1st dose and 12 weeks after the 2nd dose.
Immunocompromised individuals 9-14 years of age (inclusive): 3 doses given as 0.5 mL intramuscularly at 0, 2, and 6 months
Individuals 15 years of age and older: 3 doses given as 0.5 mL intramuscularly at 0, 2, and 6 months
HPV Vaccine Tolerability:
Most common adverse events are:
● Injection site pain (82% to 92%)
● Swelling (24% to 44%)
● Redness (24% to 48%)
More than 95% of reactions are mild to moderate and resolve within a few days. Fainting may happen and is more common among adolescents and younger adults.
Key Points to Remember:
Since sexual touching can spread the virus, early vaccination at a young age is important to ensure immunity
Avoid use during pregnancy, due to lack of data, and if a woman becomes pregnant during the vaccine series, delay future injections until after delivery
Vaccination is most effective when given prior to becoming sexually active in males and females under the age of 26 years
In older women up to 45 years of age, vaccination may be about 47% effective for HPV infection, genital warts, and precancerous lesions regardless of prior HPV exposure or about 88% effective in those without prior HPV exposure
Not sure if you are eligible for publicly-funded Gardasil-9 or wondering if you are private insurance pay for it? Call us at 604-971-5163 and find out!
Reference: Communicable Disease Control Manual June 2019 Chapter 2: Immunization Part 4 - Biological Products
By North Vancouver Travel Clinic ( Phone: 604.971.5163 )
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