HPV vaccine can prevent cancer. So why isn’t it free for many Canadians?

The human papillomavirus is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in Canada, with more than 75 per cent of sexually active adults estimated to develop it.

Cervical cancer is the fastest-growing cancer in females in Canada and is also the fourth most common form in women across the world. Despite its prevalence, there is a vaccine that is highly effective in preventing cervical cancer, but it comes at a high cost to many.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in Canada, with more than 75 per cent of sexually active adults estimated to develop it at some point in their lives. It is also the primary cause of cervical cancer as well as anal, vaginal, vulval, penile and mouth and throat cancers in men or women, according to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Introduced in Canada in 2006, the HPV vaccine has proven highly effective in preventing cervical cancer. While publicly funded for some, many must bear the out-of-pocket cost, which typically amounts to around $600.

“It’s a terrible fact because we can prevent cervical cancer with the HPV vaccine, so there’s no reason why it should be raised,” said Dr. Diane Francoeur, CEO of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC).

“To treat cervical cancer, we use radiation therapy with a lot of side effects because the uterus sits between the bladder and the bowel. It is a really aggressive cancer. We don’t want that for any women in Canada when we can prevent it,” she added.

In Canada, the HPV vaccination is recommended for all females aged nine to 45 and for males aged nine to 26. The vaccines are given two or three times over a six to 12-month period.

It’s publicly funded throughout Canada through school-based programs, but the criteria for a free dose depends on what province you live in. This is because the vaccine is most effective when it is given during the pre-adolescent years, prior to exposure to the virus.

In British Columbia, the province provides public funding for the HPV vaccine for grade six, but also up to age 26 (if you start your shot series before the age of 19).