Content Map Terms

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine

British Columbia Specific Information

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It spreads through intimate skin-to-skin contact and can lead to genital warts and cancers, including those of the anus, cervix, mouth and throat, penis, vagina and vulva.

HPV vaccine

The HPV vaccines protect against certain types of HPV and is a cancer-preventing vaccine. It benefit individuals of all sexes, genders, sexual orientation and levels of sexual activity. In B.C., the HPV vaccine is part of the recommended immunization schedule for all youth. To receive the free, publicly funded vaccine:

  • You must get your first dose before age 19
  • You must complete the series before age 26

For more information about the HPV vaccine, visit:

To learn more about HPV infection, read HealthLinkBC File #101a Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and genital warts.

For more information on STIs, sexual health information, testing in your area and other resources, visit Sexually Transmitted Infections.

What To Think About

People with a mild illness, such as a cold, can get the HPV vaccine. But if they are more ill, they should wait until they are better.

Pregnant women should not get the HPV vaccine.

Because the vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV, women who have received the HPV vaccine still need regular Pap tests after they become sexually active to check for changes in the cells of the cervix.

Your provincial or territorial health ministry may not yet cover the cost of the HPV vaccine outside of school-based vaccination programs. You may have to pay for the vaccine yourself.

How Well It Works

For people who do not have HPV, the vaccine is nearly 100% effective in preventing infection by the most common types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer in females and genital warts in males and females. But the vaccine does not affect existing cervical changes caused by HPV.footnote 1 And the vaccine does not protect against all types of HPV that can cause cancer and genital warts.

Why It Is Used

The HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine protects against HPV. HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). There are many types of HPV. Some types of the virus can cause genital warts. Other types can cause cervical cancer and some uncommon cancers, such as vaginal and anal cancer. Cervarix and Gardasil 9 are the two types of HPV vaccines. They protect against the most common HPV types that can cause serious problems. Both vaccines protect against HPV types 16 and 18. The HPV9 vaccine protects against five more types that can cause cancer (HPV 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58) and also protects against HPV types 6 and 11 that can cause genital warts.

Cervarix vaccine is recommended for girls and women 9 to 45 years of age, but is not provided free. Gardasil 9 vaccine can be given to both males and females but is only provided free to eligible individuals.

It's important that females get the vaccine before they begin to have sex. Females up to 45 years of age may benefit from getting an HPV vaccine, even if they are already having sex or have had abnormal Pap test, cervical cancer, genital warts, or HPV infection. These females may not yet have HPV infection or the HPV types that the vaccines block.footnote 2, footnote 3

HPV vaccine recommendations may be different in your province or territory. Check with your doctor or local health unit to find the HPV vaccine recommendations in your area.

Examples

human papillomavirus 9-valent vaccine (HPV9) (types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58)

Gardasil 9

human papillomavirus bivalent vaccine (HPV2) (types 16, 18)

Cervarix

How It Works

These vaccines are given in two or three shots (injections) over 6 months. In response to these vaccines, which contain an inactive form of human papillomavirus (HPV), your body makes antibodies against the virus. This response is known as active immunity.

Side Effects

Mild reactions to the HPV vaccine are common and include:footnote 4

  • Pain, redness, swelling, or itchiness where the shot was given.
  • Fever.

Even though serious allergic reactions are rare with Gardasil, call your doctor or local health unit right away if you or your child has trouble breathing, a high fever, or anything unusual after having the shot.

A person who has had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of the vaccine or to yeast should not get another dose. Tell your doctor or nurse if you or your child has had a severe reaction to any vaccine or has severe allergies.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

References

Citations

  1. National Advisory Committee on Immunization (2007). Statement on human papillomavirus vaccine. Canada Communicable Disease Report, 33(ACS-2): 1–32.
  2. National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) (2012). Update on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines. Canada Communicable Disease Report, 38(ACS-1): 1–62. Also available online: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/ccdr-rmtc/12vol38/acs-dcc-1/index-eng.php#a5.
  3. National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) (2017). Updated Recommendations on Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccines: 9-valent HPV vaccine 2-dose immunization schedule and the use of HPV vaccines in immunocompromised populations. Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/updated-recommendations-human-papillomavirus-immuni…. Accessed October 8, 2018.
  4. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2007). Human papillomavirus: What you need to know. Vaccine Information Statement. Department of Health and Human Services, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Available online: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-hpv.pdf.

Credits

Adaptation Date: 1/20/2023

Adapted By: HealthLink BC

Adaptation Reviewed By: HealthLink BC