Health News For South West


Friday, September 14, 2007
Perth District Health Unit
Medical Officer of Health Addresses Questions Surrounding HPV Vaccine

Perth County - The new Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has created a lot of discussion and debate in our community. Dr. Miriam Klassen, Acting Medical Officer of Health, would like to help provide some helpful information to Perth County families regarding the HPV vaccine. “Parents need to decide for themselves whether receiving the HPV vaccine is the right choice for their daughter,” said Dr. Klassen. “I want to help provide families with sound and factual information that they can base their decision on.”

1. The HPV vaccine is safe and effective.
  • The vaccine has been approved by Health Canada, the authority responsible for establishing the safety, effectiveness and quality of all drugs and vaccines.
  • Before introducing a new vaccine to Ontario’s publicly funded immunization program, the province considers the needs of Ontarians, the advice of experts, and the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.
  • The vaccine is close to 100% effective in protecting against four types of HPV, two of which are responsible for about 70% of cervical cancers.
  • The vaccine has been endorsed by many organizations, including the Canadian Cancer Society, Cancer Care Ontario, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, which recommended the vaccine for girls and young women, nine to 26 years of age.

2. Cervical cancer is a serious issue. This vaccine will help prevent Ontario women from developing cervical cancer in the future.
  • Combined with regular Pap screenings for all women, this vaccination program will help to prevent most cervical cancers in Ontario.
  • As many as 140 women die of cervical cancer each year in Ontario, and many more women suffer complications from the disease.

3. The time is right to offer this vaccine to all grade 8 girls in Ontario.
  • This vaccine is good news for the fight against cancer.
  • Now that we have a safe, effective vaccine at our disposal, we want to implement a program as soon as possible to begin protecting females from HPV and future cases of cervical cancer.
  • Because the vaccine series must be administered in three doses, it is essential that the program begin early in the school year so all three doses can be completed before the school year ends.
  • This vaccine is being offered free of charge to all grade 8 girls as a preventative, public health measure.
  • Grade 8 girls were chosen because the HPV vaccine is most effective if offered to females before they become sexually active. At the same time, females in Grade 8 are aware of sexually transmitted infections and will be better able to understand the benefits of the vaccine.

4. Families need to make the decision to receive or not receive the vaccine based on sound, factual evidence.
  • The HPV vaccine has created a lot of discussion, both for and against the vaccine.
  • The vaccine is completely voluntary; therefore, families need to make their own decision about whether or not the vaccine is right for them at this time.
  • Parents are urged to do their own research based on sound, credible information.
  • Be critical of what you are hearing and reading, both from the positive and negative perspectives.
  • The Health Unit can help answer any questions that parents may have.
  • You may also check the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s HPV Web site at www.hpvontario.ca. They provide links to other useful Web sites as well.

5. The vaccine does not protect against all sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
  • The HPV vaccine helps to protect against the 4 most common types of HPV infection.
  • Receiving the vaccine does not mean that a person is protected against other common STIs or pregnancy.
  • It does, however, help protect against the most common causes of cervical cancer and is a major advance in the fight against cancer.

For more information, call Health Line at 519-271- 7600 ext 267. Listowel area residents call 1-877- 271-7348 ext 267. Or check our Web site at www.pdhu.on.ca.

Contact: Annette Hoyles, Communications Manager
519-271-7600 ext 279 or email: ahoyles@pdhu.on.ca.

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