2024-10-16 21:22:00
To avoid the expiration of remaining doses of the Cervarix human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Quebec is offering healthy men and women aged 21 to 45 the opportunity to take advantage of it free of charge now. Free admission for this age group will be in effect until the approximately 150,000 excess doses are used up.
HPV, which is primarily transmitted sexually, often causes no symptoms for several years. In the majority of cases, the immune system eliminates these infections after a certain period of time. Sometimes, however, they can lead to cancers, particularly of the cervix, anus, vagina, penis, vulva and throat.
Initially reserved for Quebecers aged 9 to 17, the vaccine against these viruses has now been administered free of charge to young people under 20 since the end of September. As of now, adults aged 21 to 45 who have never been immunized against HPV can also be immunized at no cost. They can make an appointment on the Clic Santé platform, specifies the Ministry of Health and Social Services in a press release.
Vaccination, which is already underway, is being done at around a hundred local service points and most community pharmacies.
This temporary expansion is due to the change in program during the year for HPV vaccination. The Quebec Immunization Committee now recommends the administration of a single dose, from the fourth year of primary school, for those under 20 years old. Students who have received it will therefore no longer have to roll up their sleeves a second time in the third year of secondary school.
A single dose of HPV vaccine offers high protection comparable to that induced by two doses, for a period of at least 11 years, the office of the Minister of Health, Christian Dubé, highlighted in September in a press release.
The free vaccination program for girls against human papilloma viruses was established in Quebec in 2008. Boys have been eligible since 2014.
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