HPV is a very common virus that has many strains.  Some of these strains can cause cervical cancer and genital warts. The HPV vaccine (Gardasil®) can prevent infections by the HPV strains that cause the majority of cervical cancer and genital warts.  Three doses of the vaccine are required for full protection.

 

 

Free Immunizations for Grade 8 Girls

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) provides Gardasil® free of charge to girls in Grade 8, through school-based clinics and at physicians' offices. The decision to receive the vaccine is voluntary.  Three doses of vaccine are required for full protection, and are usually given over six months.

 

Eligibility Criteria to Receive Free Vaccine

Girls in Grade 8 are eligible to receive Gardasil® free of charge.   Girls who start their vaccination series later in their Grade 8 year can complete the series in Grade 9 if needed, free of charge.  

 

Please note that girls must receive their first dose of Gardasil® while still in Grade 8 to complete their vaccination series free of charge in Grade 9. 

 

Immunization Clinics

York Region Community and Health Services offers the HPV vaccine through two types of clinics:

Ÿ         School based clinics take place in elementary schools where there are 20 or more girls who want to be immunized.  

Ÿ         Community clinics are available for girls in Grade 8 and girls in Grade 9 who start the Gardasil^® series in Grade 8, including girls who:

o        attend schools that are not offered an immunization clinic

o        miss the clinic at their school due to illness or other absence

o        initially opt not to receive the vaccine but later change their minds

 

Appointments are not necessary.  You will need to provide your daughter's date of birth, current school and a contact phone number. Health cards are not required but are useful for updating immunization records for your child.  Gardasil^® consent forms will be available at each clinic.  

The schedule for the community clinics is provided below:

Town/City	Clinic Date	Clinic Location
Richmond Hill	1st Tuesday of every month, beginning January 5, 2010	South Services Centre, 50 High Tech Road, 2nd floor
Markham	2nd Wednesday of every month, beginning January 13, 2010	York Region's Public Health office at 4261, Hwy #7
Newmarket	3rd Thursday of every month, beginning January 21, 2010	York Region's Public Health office at 22 Prospect St.
Vaughan	4th Tuesday every other month, beginning January 26, 2010	Vaughan Community Health Centre, 9401 Jane St., Bldg A, Suite 206
Georgina	4th Tuesday every other month, beginning February 23, 2010	90 Wexford Drive, Keswick ( Georgina Ice Palace - All purpose room)

 

HPV resources:
HPV Fact Sheet
HPV Brochure 
Parent Consent Form

"Talking to your daughter about the HPV" Vaccine tip sheet

 

Additional websites:

MOHLTC - www.hpvontario.ca

Health Canada - www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/diseases-maladies/hpv-vph_e.html

HPVinfo - www.hpvinfo.ca/hpvinfo.html