Human Papillomavirus Vaccination (HPV)
Human Papillomavirus Vaccine [Nonavalent (types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33,45, 52, and 58)]
About this service
➤ What is HPV? HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). About three out of 4 sexually active people who are unimmunized will get HPV at some time. Anyone who has any kind of oral, genital or anal sexual contact can get HPV. Sexual intercourse is not necessary to get infected. The more sexual partners you have the higher the risk of being infected with HPV. Males who have sex with males are also at higher risk of HPV infection. ➤ What happens when you’re infected with HPV? Most people infected with HPV do not show any signs or symptoms and can pass the virus on to others without even knowing it. Most often an HPV infection will clear on its own. For some people, HPV will not go away and cells infected with the virus can become pre-cancerous or cancerous over time. Every year in B.C. approximately: - 210 people will get cervical cancer and 55 will die from the disease - 6,000 people will develop high-risk changes to the cervix which are precancerous - 135 people will get anal cancer and 20 will die from the disease - 5,500 people will develop genital warts ➤ What is the HPV vaccine? The HPV vaccine protects against infection from certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause cancers of the anus, cervix, mouth and throat, penis, vagina, and vulva as well as genital warts. The vaccine protects against 2 types of HPV that cause about 70% of cases of cervical cancer and 80% of cases of anal cancer, against 5 additional types of HPV that cause 15% to 20% of cervical cancers and 11% of anal cancers in females and 4% in males and also protects against 2 types of HPV that cause about 90% of cases of genital warts. ➤ Who should get the HPV vaccine? The HPV9 vaccine is provided free to all students in grade 6. People who missed getting the HPV vaccine can receive it for free as long as they get their first dose before they turn 19 and the last dose before they turn 26. Others may be eligible for coverage or highly recommended to get vaccinated. Call the pharmacy for details.