HPV vaccine is safe and it works!
What is HPV?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus. It causes cervical cancer, genital cancers, head and neck cancer and genital warts. Each year in Ontario, 550 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 160 women die from it.
How can HPV be prevented?
HPV vaccine can prevent 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts. It can also prevent precancerous lesions on the cervix and other cancers. The vaccine is most effective if received before individuals become sexually active.
Is the HPV vaccine safe?
The HPV vaccine is very safe. Few reactions to the vaccine have been reported in Toronto and across Canada; most were mild and consisted of redness and swelling where the vaccine was given. Vaccine safety is monitored in Canada and worldwide.
Who can get the HPV vaccine?
The HPV vaccine is licensed for males and females to prevent cervical cancer, genital warts and other genital cancers. Since preventing cervical cancer is the focus of the HPV vaccination program in Ontario, the vaccine is given for free to teenage females; it works best when they receive it before they become sexually active.
Toronto Public Health offers free HPV vaccine to girls in Grade 8 and females born in 1993-1998. Anyone else wanting the vaccine will have to see their doctor where it will between $400 to $500.
Where is the vaccine available?
The vaccine is available for Grade 8 females at Toronto Public Health School Immunization Clinics and to females born in 1993-1998 at Community Immunization Clinics.
Note: These are drop in clinics. Service is provided on a "first come, first served" basis.
Get the facts on HPV
HPV vaccination for females born between 1993 and 1998
Females born from 1993 to 1994 who did not get all 3 HPV shots in Grade 8 can now get vaccinated on a one-time basis until June 2013 at Toronto Public Health Community Immunization Clinics.
Females students in Grades 9 to 12 who did not get all 3 HPV shots in Grade 8 can get vaccinated at a Toronto Public Health Community Immunization Clinics. The vaccine is free until the end of Grade 8.
Forms and letters
Poster
The Grade 8 HPV program for girls
Toronto Public Health provides females in Grade 8 free HPV vaccine through school-based clinics. Grade 8 is still the best time to get the HPV vaccine.
If she missed her school clinic she can also come to our Community Immunization Clinics.
Grade 8 HPV Consent Form
A parent or guardian must sign a consent form (PDF) to have their daughter vaccinated. The form should be returned promptly to the child's school before the date of the vaccination.
Consentement au vaccin contre le virus du papillome humain (VPH) (PDF)
Letter to Grade 8 parents (PDF)
Lettre aux parents d'élèves de 8e année (PDF)
Resources for teachers
Related links
For more information
Call the Immunization Line at 416-392-1250 or email us at immunization@toronto.ca
Last updated January 2013
