The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a common virus transmitted through genital skin to skin contact. Some types of the virus cause cervical cancer.

Since the fall of 2007, an HPV vaccine has been available to Grade 7 students through the school-based immunization program. The vaccine can't, however, take the place of regular Pap tests. Almost all cervical cancer is preventable if cell changes are detected early enough.

There are over 100 types of HPV. The HPV vaccine protects against four of the most common types of HPV – types 6, 11, 16 and 18. HPV types 16 and 18 are high-risk types and cause approximately 70 per cent of cervical cancers. HPV types 6 and 11 are low-risk types and cause approximately 90 per cent of anogenital warts.

In Canada, the vaccine has been approved for females nine to 26 years of age. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends females nine to 13 years of age as the primary age group for vaccination. By immunizing this age group females are receiving the vaccine prior to sexual activity and maximizing the vaccines effectiveness. The vaccine still has potential benefit for females 14 to 26 years of age regardless of previous sexual activity, Pap abnormalities, cervical cancer, anogenital warts or an unknown HPV infection.

The HPV vaccine has minimal side effects, the most common being a brief soreness at the site of injection. It doesn't contain any antibiotics or preservatives, including mercury or thimerosal and it can't infect an individual with HPV. Although the HPV vaccine has demonstrated a very high efficiency in preventing the four most common types of HPV infection, it doesn't protect against other types of HPV.

It's important for all women, vaccinated or not, to continue to undergo regular Pap tests.