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The Human Papillomavirus Vaccine in Canada

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Abstract

Clinical studies have shown the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to be very effective at preventing persistent infection by vaccine serotypes. The development of these new vaccines heralds a new era in cancer prevention. Gardasil, Merck’s quadravalent HPV vaccine, has recently been licensed in Canada for women aged 9 to 26 years of age. It necessitates that health professionals become familiar with the vaccine, the evidence supporting its effectiveness and issues related to vaccine strategy, cost effectiveness, and remaining research questions. The vaccine is recommended in Canada for females aged 9 to 13 years and should also be offered to females aged 14 to 26 years. Ongoing research will determine the duration of protection conferred by the vaccine, and the potential need for booster doses. In conjunction with continued screening programs, the HPV vaccine offers the potential to dramatically reduce the burden of cervical cancer in Canada, and to do so in a cost-effective manner.

Résumé

Des études cliniques ont montré que les vaccins contre le virus du papillome humain (VPH) sont très efficaces pour prévenir les infections persistantes par les sérotypes vaccinaux. La mise au point de ces vaccins annonce une ère nouvelle pour la prévention du cancer. Gardasil, le vaccin quadrivalent anti-VPH de Merck, a récemment été homologué au Canada pour les filles et les femmes de 9 à 26 ans. Il faut cependant que les professionnels de la santé se familiarisent avec le vaccin, les preuves de son efficacité, la stratégie de vaccination, le rapport coût-efficacité et les questions de recherche non résolues. Au Canada, le vaccin est recommandé pour les filles de 9 à 13 ans et devrait aussi être offert aux filles et aux femmes de 14 à 26 ans. Des recherches en cours permettront de déterminer la durée de la protection conférée par le vaccin et les doses de rappel nécessaires, le cas échéant. Utilisé conjointement avec les programmes de détection en cours, le vaccin anti-VPH présente la possibilité de réduire considérablement le fardeau du cancer du col utérin au Canada, et de le faire de façon économiquement rentable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Infectious Diseases, The Hospital for Sick Children and The University of Toronto, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5C 1X8, Canada

    Shaun K. Morris MD, MPH (Dr.)

  2. Registered Nurse, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada

    Claire K. Nguyen BNSc, MSc, LLB, MPH

Authors
  1. Shaun K. Morris MD, MPH
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  2. Claire K. Nguyen BNSc, MSc, LLB, MPH
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Correspondence to Shaun K. Morris MD, MPH.

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Morris, S.K., Nguyen, C.K. The Human Papillomavirus Vaccine in Canada. Can J Public Health 99, 114–116 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03405456

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03405456

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