The HPV vaccine can protect you against two high risk HPV types that cause 70 out of 100 cases of cervical cancer.
The HPV vaccine also protects you from genital warts (the most common sexually transmitted infection), some head and neck cancers and penile
(penis) cancer in men.
There are two vaccines, recommended for use in Canada which protect against infection from particular HPV strains. The vaccine Gardasil® protects against 4 strains of the virus. The vaccine Cervarix® protects against 2 virus strains.
Gardasil is free for BC girls and women born in 1994 and later. It is given to girls through the school system in grade 6 or through your health care provider.
The HPV vaccine is also available free to men who have a high risk of HPV infection, such as men who have sex with men 26 years of age or younger, have HIV infection, are in youth custody services or are street-involved.
The vaccine is recommended, but not free, for:
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adult women up to 45 years of age
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boys and men 9 to 26 years of age
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men 27 years of age and older who have sex with men
Regular Pap tests are still necessary for women who have had the HPV vaccine.
Visit
HPV.ca for more information about HPV.