Diseases it protects from

The HPV-9 vaccine protects against 9 strains (types) of human papillomavirus. These 9 strains may cause up to:

• 92% of cervical cancers
• 75% of anal cancers
• 57% of penile cancers
• 72% of vaginal cancers
• 25% of head and neck cancers
• 90% of genital warts

Who should get this vaccine

Grade 6 students can get the HPV-9 vaccine as part of the school immunization program. If you did not get the HPV-9 vaccine in Grade 6, you can still get it for free up to and including age 26 years.

You may be able to get this vaccine for free if you are age 9 to 45 years and:

• You have had or are going to have an organ transplant.
• You have had a stem cell transplant or CAR T-cell therapy (a type of cancer treatment).

Ask your healthcare provider if you can get this vaccine for free.

If you cannot get this vaccine for free, it may still benefit you. Talk to your doctor to find out if it is a good idea for you. Check with your health insurance provider to see if your plan covers the cost.

Who may not be able to get this vaccine

You may not be able to get this vaccine if:

• You have an allergy to any part of the vaccine. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any allergies.
• You had a severe (serious) or unusual side effect after this vaccine or one like it.

If either of these apply, check with your healthcare provider or a public health nurse before you get the vaccine.

Although you can get the vaccine if you have a mild illness such as a cold or fever, you should stay home until you are feeling better to prevent spreading your illness to others.

Doses

If you have a healthy immune system, you need 2 doses, 6 months apart.

If you have a weakened immune system, you need 3 doses, over 6 months.

Get the vaccine

Grade 6 students can get the vaccine in school. Grade 9 students who missed getting the vaccine at the usual time can also get it in school. Parents and guardians will get an information package that includes a consent form. If you want your child to get the vaccine in school, you must complete and sign the consent form and return it according to the instructions provided. Learn more about school immunization.

If you can get this vaccine for free, contact your local public health or community health centre. If you want the vaccine and need to pay for it, contact a travel health clinic or talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

HPV vaccine decision tool

If you are unsure about getting the HPV vaccine for yourself or your child, try the HPV Vaccine Decision Tool. The tool asks about any questions or concerns you have about the vaccine and provides you with the information you need to reach a decision that you are comfortable with.

How well it works

How well the HPV-9 vaccine works is different for each strain. After you get the recommended number of doses, the HPV-9 vaccine is highly effective in preventing infection and genital warts from the 9 strains of HPV that the vaccine protects against.

HPV-9 vaccine works best in children and teens before they have any sexual contact (such as oral sex or intercourse).

Because the vaccine does not protect against all types of cervical cancer, it is still important to have regular Pap tests (even if you have had the vaccine). When to have a Pap test is based on your age and things that increase your risk. Talk to your doctor about when to have this test.

Safety

Vaccine safety is a top priority. Canada uses extremely safe vaccines. Learn more about vaccine safety in Canada, including how vaccines are monitored for continued safety, and ingredients in vaccines.

Side effects

There can be side effects from the HPV-9 vaccine, but they tend to be mild and go away in a few days.

• redness where you had the needle that may look red on lighter skin or purple on darker skin
• swelling, a hard spot, bruising, bleeding, itching, or feeling sore where you had the needle
• a headache
• feeling dizzy
• a fever
• feeling tired
• body aches
• feeling sick to your stomach (nausea), stomach pain, or loose stool (diarrhea)
• a sore throat, cough, and runny nose

At least 1 out of 100 people who got this vaccine reported 1 or more of these side effects. In some cases, it is unknown if the vaccine caused these side effects.

It is important to stay at the clinic for 15 minutes after your vaccine. Some people may have a rare but serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. If anaphylaxis happens, you will get medicine to treat the symptoms.

It is rare to have a serious side effect after a vaccine. Call Health Link at 811 to report any serious or unusual side effects.

How to manage side effects

• To help with soreness and swelling, put a cool, wet cloth over the area where you had the needle.
• There is medicine to help with a fever or pain. Check with your healthcare provider if you’re not sure what medicine or dose to take. Follow the directions on the package.
• Some people with health problems, such as a weak immune system, must call their healthcare provider if they get a fever. If you have been told to do this, call your healthcare provider even if you think the fever is from the vaccine.

There can be mild, short-term side effects after getting a vaccine. Find tips to manage these side effects at home.