Please read for important information regarding primary care provider support for promoting Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Immunization.
Primary care providers play a key role in promoting vaccination and maintaining high immunization rates in their patients. This includes not just the childhood vaccines, but also those given in adolescence, such as HPV immunization for youth.
HPV infection is known to be associated with cervical cancer, and with an increasing incidence of rectal cancer and throat cancer. Vaccinating adolescents is one of the most effective ways to reduce and eventually progress towards eliminating HPV-related cancers.
The HPV vaccine is recommended and is available for free for all youth in BC aged between nine to 18 years, and for some adults. Fraser Health routinely offers the vaccine to students in grade 6 in school-based clinics. For the 2024/25 school year, we are expanding school-based immunization. We are offering HPV vaccine to students in grade six-12 who have not yet received it.
British Columbia’s 10-Year Cancer Action Plan has a target of achieving 90 per cent HPV immunization coverage for 17-year-olds by 2026. Currently, 69 per cent of Fraser Health students in grades six-12 are fully vaccinated against HPV. Please see Figure one below for coverage rates by community. Your support and collaboration are crucial in reaching BC’s 90 per cent target.
How physicians can support HPV immunization catch-up:
Give a strong recommendation.
A strong recommendation from a health care provider significantly influences a person's decision to vaccinate themselves or their child.
Address frequently asked questions about the HPV vaccine.
- It protects against cervical cancers, cancers of the vagina, vulva, anus, penis, mouth and throat, and genital warts.
- It is safe with over 15 years of monitoring and 200 million doses given worldwide.
- It is recommended early on in a person’s life, so they are protected long before they ever have contact with the virus.
- It works best when given early, as preteens produce more antibodies after HPV vaccination than older teens.
- When given at a young age, it is highly effective at preventing common types of HPV infections.
- Getting vaccinated protects patients and their partners, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
Inform patients how they can get immunized.
- Eligible students will receive a letter from Public Health informing them about their school clinic. This is the most convenient way for the students and the parents to get the vaccine.
- Students who miss the school clinic can get immunized at a community pharmacy or a public health unit.
Become an immunizer.
- Contact us at immunizationlogistics@fraserhealth.ca.
- See Fraser Health’s immunization resources for community vaccine providers for more information.
We appreciate your continued partnership and support in keeping our children and communities healthy.
For Further Information:
- HPV Vaccine Indications, recommendations, doses, and schedule, see: BCCDC Immunization Manual – Part Four: Biological Products, HPV vaccine.
- For easy access to immunization information for health care providers, visit BCCDC’s Interactive Immunization Infographic.
- Visit www.fraserhealth.ca/health-topics-a-to-z/immunizations/immunization-coverage to see immunization coverage in your community.
Information for patients and families:
- www.healthlinkbc.ca/hpv.
- Four things to know HPV Poster.
- www.healthlinkbc.ca/hpv (also available in Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Persian/Farsi, Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic and French).