Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) - Gardasil Vaccine in Toronto

What is HPV?

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus. There are many types of HPV spread through sexual contact primarily.

Symptoms

Most infections don't cause any symptoms and go away on their own. HPV can cause cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer and anal cancer in women. HPV also causes genital warts in both men and women.

More than 80% of women are infected with HPV at sometime in their lives. HPV infection often produces no symptoms and is not easily detectable. There is no treatment for HPV infection, however, the conditions it causes can be treated if found early.

Why get vaccinated?

There are two vaccines available in Canada:

Gardasil and Cervarix

Gardasil (HPV vaccine) is an inactivated vaccine which protects against four major types of HPV. The vaccine can prevent most genital warts and most cases of cervical cancer, vaginal cancer and vulvar cancer.

Cervarix (HPV vaccine) is an inactivated vaccine that protects against the two of the most common and dangerous types of HPV. The vaccine protects against cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers

Who should get HPV vaccine and when?

HPV vaccine is recommended for girls and women over 9 years of age. It's important for girls to get HPV vaccine before they are sexually active. However vaccination at any age may still be valuable. Currently there is a government funded program to provide Gardasil (HPV vaccine) to all girls in grade 8 in Ontario.

HPV vaccine can also be given to boys and men over the age of 9 years.

HPV vaccine is given in three doses.

     To get your Gardasil or Cervarix HPV vaccine call the GTA Travel Clinic and Vaccination Centre at 905 303 1900. We cover the Toronto, Richmond Hill and Woodbridge areas for HPV vaccination.

Please note: The information in this document is provided for general information purposes only. Nothing takes the place of speaking with a travel doctor. This information and your receipt thereof is not intended to be, nor shall be deemed to be, informed consent by you to any medical care or treatment whatsoever. Please consult our doctors at the GTA Travel Clinic and Vaccination Centre for a proper medical assessment.

Please note that the doctor's consultation for Gardasil and Cervarix (HPV Vaccine) is covered by O.H.I.P, however the vaccine is not a benefit of O.H.I.P.(except girls in grade 8).

If you have private health insurance through work or school you may be covered for vaccines. With your payment we will provide you with an invoice (with the unique Drug Identification Number for each vaccine) so you can claim your expenses back from your insurance company.

Insurance companies will require Drug Identification Numbers for each vaccine in order to reimburse you.

Click here to find the names and phone numbers of major Insurance Companies.