HPV Ask An Expert

Is the HPV vaccine now available for men?

Dr. Vivien Brown — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:59:26 +0000

In February 2010, Health Canada approved the HPV vaccine Gardasil for males ages 9-26. For more information or to receive the vaccination, contact your family physician or local public health unit.

When are you going to start vaccinating boys?

Nina Arron — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:26:47 +0000

The HPV vaccination program for the 2010/2011 school year is currently being re-evaluated based on Health Canada’s recent approval of Gardasil for boys.

Do boys get HPV too?

Dr. Vivien Brown — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 03:56:15 +0000

Yes, males can be infected with HPV, but they are not at risk of cervical cancer. Males can be infected with the types of HPV that cause genital warts. Genital warts are not a life-threatening disease, but they can cause emotional stress and their treatment can be very uncomfortable. Males can also be carriers of other HPV types that may be transmitted to their partners during sexual activity. Without experiencing visible symptoms, they can pass the HPV virus unknowingly to their partner.

When is the vaccine contraindicated?

lauren — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 01:55:39 +0000

As per the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommendations – females that should not get the HPV vaccine include:

Those who have been fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine
Those who have had a serious reaction to a previous dose of the HPV vaccine
Those with a yeast allergy or a serious allergy to a vaccine component
Those who are or may be pregnant

It is also not recommended to receive vaccination if you have a fever or another serious illness. It is recommended that you consult your physician or public health unit for further questions about the vaccine.

Does the HPV vaccine stop ovarian cysts?

Dr. Vivien Brown — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:56:27 +0000

To date there have been no found links between ovarian cysts and the HPV vaccine.

What is the minimum and maximum time allowed between doses? Due to the workload related to the H1N1 vaccine clinics Public Health may not be able to give the second and third doses to the grade 8 students who received the first dose in October. How much time can elapse between doses? If we exceed that time do we start again with the first dose?

Dr. Vivien Brown — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:50:16 +0000

Three doses of the HPV vaccine are required for full protection. The HPV vaccine may be administered through an approved standard dosing schedule, which identifies the minimum time period required between each of the three recommended doses. Typically, public health units plan and organize school based HPV vaccination clinics based on the standard dosing schedule which means that second and third dose clinics will occur two and six months after the first dose. If time exceeds the dosing schedule or an interruption of a vaccination series occurs (e.g: H1N1 vaccination clinics), the vaccination series does not have to start again. For further questions about vaccination timing and upcoming clinics, talk to your daughter’s school and local public health unit.

If my daughter has runny nose and dry cough but no fever, can she still take a vaccination?

Dr. Vivien Brown — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:07:20 +0000

If your daughter has a fever or anything more serious than a minor cold it is recommended that your daughter delay her vaccination. It is best to consult your family physician if you have any concerns.

My daughter received the HPV vaccine in September. Can she be given the H1N1 vaccine as well?

Dr. Vivien Brown — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:32:07 +0000

Yes, it is safe to receive both vaccinations this year. Parents should feel comfortable with their daughters receiving their HPV vaccine to protect them from cervical cancer, as well as the H1N1 vaccine to protect them against the flu this year.

The HPV vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine may be administered concurrently. Both vaccines are inactivated vaccines. If the H1N1 vaccine is administered at the same time as the HPV vaccine, they should be given in opposite arms to avoid the potential of a local reaction. If your daughter will receive the H1N1 vaccine and the HPV vaccine on different days, it is recommended that that they two vaccines are given 21 days apart as they are both adjuvanted vaccines. This will ensure maximum efficacy and immunogenicity of both vaccines.

Both the HPV vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine have been approved for use in Canada. As with all vaccines in Canada, both have undergone the appropriate measures and have met the requirements of the authority responsible for establishing the safety, effectiveness and quality of all drugs and vaccines in Canada.

If my daughter receives the HPV vaccine at age 13 and it is only good for 5 years, I assume she will need it again when she is 18. What will the cost be at that time and will it be available through her doctor?

Dr. Vivien Brown — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:04:37 +0000

We do not yet know how long the HPV vaccination will protect women after they have received the three required doses however it is expected to offer lifelong protection. Follow-up of females who have completed the three dose HPV vaccine series continue to show they have good protection against the high risk HPV types that the vaccine protects against. Consult your health care provider to discuss an appropriate course of action, based on the knowledge that is currently available.

How many years has the HPV vaccination been given to adolescent girls?

Dr. Vivien Brown — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:10:03 +0000

The HPV vaccine was approved for use in Canada in July of 2006 for females between the ages of nine and 26 years. The vaccine was thoroughly tested to meet Health Canada’s standards for safety and efficacy. It has been endorsed by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, and other leading Canadian health organizations.