IMMUNIZATION – YOUR BEST PROTECTION

Vaccines are the best way to protect against some very serious diseases. Protect yourself against four strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV): 6, 11, 16 and 18, with this vaccine.

In Ontario, the HPV vaccine is publicly funded for:

• Females in Grade 8

and is available at a cost to:

• Both females and males 9-26 years of age: one dose today, two months from today, six months from today

What is HPV?

• Most common sexually transmitted infection in Canada, caused by a virus
• Approximately 75% of Canadians will have at least one HPV infection during their lifetime
• Many different types of HPV, some cause no harm whereas others cause disease of the genital area
• Most people who develop HPV infection do not experience symptoms and the virus clears on its own, however, if the virus does not clear, it can develop into cervical cancer, precancerous lesions, or genital warts, depending on the HPV type.

How is HPV spread?

Spread of the HPV involves any genital skin-to-skin contact 

How safe is the HPV vaccine?

Vaccines are among the safest of modern medicine.  The only individuals who should NOT receive the HPV vaccine are those who:

• are under 9 years of age and over 26 years of age
• are ill with a fever or an infection
• have had a severe allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis) to a past dose of this vaccine or any of its components (yeast, amorphous aluminum, polysorbate 80 and sodium borate, sodium chloride, or L-histidine)

• are pregnant

What are the side effects that I should watch for following vaccination?

Serious side effects from the vaccine are very rare (1:1,000,000). Most children and adults have no problems following vaccination. Possible side effects include:

• Redness and soreness where the needle was given
• Fever, headache, nausea, dizziness, vomiting and diarrhea may occur
• Allergic reactions (ie. hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing) occur very rarely If these symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately

If you choose to receive this vaccine today, it is required that you wait for two days before giving blood.

Call your doctor if you develop any symptoms that are severe or last more than a few days.  Please note that serious side effects are very unlikely to occur and the benefits of the vaccine are much greater than the risks.

For more information on this vaccine, contact one of the numbers below and ask to speak to a Nurse in the Vaccine Preventable Diseases Program.