HPV Vaccination
HPV and your child
In each stage of your child’s life, you must tackle new issues, decide what is best, and set new limits. As a parent, you do these things to keep your children safe.
Getting your child vaccinated against HPV is the best way to protect them from this virus and the disease it causes. This section helps you learn more about HPV, how it spreads, and what you can do to protect your child.
Vaccination against HPV is now available. The Government of Canada has approved HPV vaccination because studies showed that it is 98% effective at preventing disease from the four kinds of HPV. These types of HPV cause 70% of all cervical cancers, some cancers of the vulva and vagina and 90% of genital warts.
What’s in these vaccines?
It is fluid that contains tiny particles that ”mimic” HPV but cannot cause infection or cancer like real HPV might. After the fluid is injected, the body quickly starts making antibodies and white blood cells to fight against the types of HPV it protects against. It is this immune response by a healthy body that fights HPV and protects people from the real infection. There is no virus in the liquid. Because it contains no live virus, the person being vaccinated is in no danger of getting HPV.
Is vaccination safe?
The Government of Canada has reviewed HPV vaccination and approved it for use in Canada. It made this decision based on many clinical studies that showed HPV vaccination was safe, and that 
the subjects in the studies had very few side effects. The main one was feeling sore for a little while in the place where they received the injection.
Be aware that HPV vaccines do not contain any live or dead form of the HPV virus. Nor do they contain any preservatives, latex, antibiotics, thimerosal or mercury. You cannot become infected with HPV from vaccination.
HPV vaccination cannot cause HPV. It is made up of a fluid with tiny particles that “mimic” HPV but cannot cause infection or cancer like real HPV. After your child is vaccinated, the body quickly starts making antibodies and white blood cells to fight against the types of “pretend” HPV it protects against. It’s this immune response that protects your child from infection.
These vaccines do not contain any preservatives, antibiotics, thimerosal or mercury.
What are the limits to vaccination?
It only protects you from four kinds of HPV: types 6 and 11 which causes 90% of genital warts and sores; and types 16 and 18 which cause 70% of all cervical cancers. There are many other kinds of HPV. No one is sure what their effects might be. Research is trying to find out.
How long does the immunity last?
We do not know for sure. Research has tracked vaccinated girls for five years – that is how long it has been available – and the levels of antibodies in their bodies remain very high after they receive all three injections. This means they still have strong protection against HPV.
