The BC Centre for Disease Control is encouraging young women, who were born in 1991, 1992 and 1993, to get a free vaccination at no cost against human papillomavirus (HPV).
The one-time program for this age group is limited by supply and will not be repeated.
HPV infections cause almost all cases of cervical cancer. It’s estimated the vaccine can prevent up to 70 per cent of these cancers, as well as a number of pre-cancerous changes to the cervix that require treatment.
The vaccine is provided in a series of three doses over a six-month period, and in 100 Mile House, eligible females can receive free HPV vaccines from pharmacists, physicians and from a public health nurse at the South Cariboo Health Centre (SCHC)at 555 Cedar Ave. (250-395-7676).
British Columbia began offering the HPV vaccine to Grade 6 and 9 girls in 2008. Girls born in 1994 and later have been offered the vaccine in the school-based program. Girls born after 1994, who did not get immunized in Grade 6 or 9, continue to be eligible for the vaccine in subsequent years at no cost.
SCHC public health nurse Valerie Brice says there are various reasons why some girls do not get the immunization at school and they might be better served by getting immunized at the health centre.
She adds the uptake of the vaccine is better at a younger age and has no relation to sexual activity.
“It’s protecting young women from getting viruses that can cause cervical cancer in their early, mid and late twenties.”
The HPV vaccine used is one of two vaccines approved by Health Canada for cervical cancer prevention. Women who want to receive the vaccine but do not fall into the eligible age range, or who would like to receive an alternative vaccine that also protects against genital warts, have the option of consulting with their physician or pharmacist about purchasing the vaccine.
All women, even those who have received the HPV vaccine, should continue to get regular Pap tests, as the vaccine does not protect against all cancer-causing strains of the virus.
