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PrintYouth encouraged to get HPV vaccine
The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends that girls receive three doses of the vaccine to be fully protected.
: Does my 10-year-old daughter need an HPV vaccine?
: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in Canada. Some people with HPV never show any symptoms. But in others, this virus can cause genital warts, cervical cancer in women as well as head and neck cancers in both men and women. The viral infection must be present for many years before it develops into cancer.
HPV is acquired through sexual contact, via either intercourse or sexual touching. This common infection usually occurs within the first five years of becoming sexually active. Up to 29 per cent of adolescents and young adults under the age of 25 will be infected with HPV. A vaccine can help protect girls from the several types of HPV that cause cancer and warts. In Canada, girls 9 to 13 years old should receive the vaccine. To be most effective, the vaccine needs to be given before any sexual activity begins. Girls 14 and older should also get the vaccine if not previously vaccinated.
Currently in Quebec, the HPV vaccine is given to girls in Grade 4 through a school vaccination program. It is offered again in Grade 9 for those girls who did not receive it earlier. If your daughter does not receive it as part of the regular school vaccination program, you may need to pay for it. Contact your CLSC for more information.
The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends that girls receive three doses of the vaccine to be fully protected. The second dose is given two months after the first, and the third dose after six months. As with any vaccine, there may be some redness, swelling or pain at the injection site. An allergic reaction (such as difficulty breathing, hives, or a rash) would be the only reason to discontinue further doses. The HPV vaccine does not protect against other sexually transmitted diseases. It also does not protect against all types of HPV. The vaccine is not as effective if girls have already been infected with the specific types of HPV that are in the vaccine. Safe sex practices, such as using a condom, will help reduce the risk of infection from HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
All females who are sexually active, including those who have received the HPV vaccine, should have regular Pap tests to check for cervical cancer.
Dr. Denis Leduc is a general pediatrician in the Montreal area. He is a Past President of the Canadian Pediatric Society. For more information on your child’s growth and development, visit www.caringforkids.cps.ca or www.soinsdenosenfants.cps.ca
