Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and the Vaccine

HPV is short for human papillomavirus. HPV can cause genital warts and cancer (cervical, anal, genital, mouth and throat).

Through skin-to-skin contact (kissing or touching) with the genital areas (including the penis, scrotum, vagina, vulva or anus) of a person who has the HPV infection.
It is not necessary to have sex to get HPV.
Many people with HPV don't know they have the virus and may go on to infect others.

Gardasil^MD9 Contents	Where else are they found?
HPV proteins	Human papillomavirus
Sodium chloride	Human body, salt
Aluminum	Vegetables, cereal, deodorant
L-histidine	Human body, beans, fish, milk
Polysorbate 80	Ice cream, cottage cheese
Sodium borate	Water, soil
Yeast	Human body, bread, bagels

Research has shown that Gardasil^®9 protects against 9 of the most common and harmful types of HPV that cause cervical and other cancers.

It is also effective in preventing genital warts.

Yes!
Gardasil^®9 clinical study results are very similar to Gardasil^®which has been safely used in Canada for ten years.
In 2016, there was only 1 serious reaction to Gardasil in all of Ontario out of ~ 210,000 doses given (Vaccine Safety Surveillance Technical Data Notes 2017).
You cannot get HPV from the vaccine.

Most Common	Less Common	Very Rare and Serious
Redness, pain and/or swelling at the site, especially during the first 24 hours	Headache and/or mild fever	Serious allergic reaction causing trouble breathing, swelling of the face or mouth, hives
Treatment: Apply ice to the area where you got the vaccine and/or take acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol^®)		Clinic nurses are trained to treat severe reactions

Get the vaccine.
Be abstinent.
If you are considering being sexually active, there are ways to protect yourself against HPV. Talk to your parents, health care provider or go to ParentinginOttawa.ca/immunization for more information.
Get tested! In those with a cervix, having regular screening for cervical cancer will screen for HPV. Regular dental check-ups can find early changes that might lead to oral cancers caused by HPV.

Virus Risk	Vaccine Risk
About 75% of people could be exposed to an HPV infection at some point in their lives	Sore arm - 9 in 10 people
14,700 cases of genital warts diagnosed per year in Ontario	Headache or mild fever- up to 2 in 10 people
630 women diagnosed with cervical cancer and 150 HPV related cancer deaths per year in Ontario.	Serious reactions very rare

Talk to your parent or guardian about the vaccine.
Learn ways to deal with your worry about the vaccination (focus on breathing, look away from the needle, count to ten, etc.).
Wear a short sleeve shirt.
Eat breakfast and have an extra juice or small snack to avoid fainting (common with growing teens).

Do you have more questions about parenting?

Connect with a registered nurse from Health811 for free, secure, and confidential health advice. Service is available 24/7 in English and French, with translation support also offered in other languages. Call 8-1-1 or visit Health811.ontario.ca.
Connect with a Community Navigator from 2-1-1 for information about community programs and resources across Eastern Ontario. Helpline service is available 24/7 and in many different languages. Call 2-1-1 or visit 211ontario.ca.
Connect with other parents on the Parenting in Ottawa Facebook page.
There are a variety of services to make it easier for your child to grow up healthy in Ottawa.
You can update your child's immunization record using either the Immunization Connect Ontario (ICON) Tool or the CANImmunize App.
If you have received a message from Ottawa Public Health such as a letter or a call regarding immunization, an infectious disease, or infection control lapse, please call 613-580-6744 and listen to the menu options carefully.

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100 Constellation Drive
Ottawa, Ontario K2G 6J8