Media Contacts

Ministry of Health

Media Relations
250 952-1887

Backgrounders

Facts about HPV
  • Previously, to be eligible for the free, publicly funded HPV vaccine, people in B.C. needed to have their first dose before they turned 19 and their subsequent doses before they turned 26.
  • HPV vaccine is safe and helps prevent cancer.
  • HPV can cause several types of cancer in different areas of the body.
  • Approximately 75% of non-vaccinated people will contract HPV at some point in their lives. 
  • More than 200 million doses have been administered safely worldwide.
  • Early vaccination provides the greatest protection before exposure to HPV.
  • The HPV vaccine is offered in schools to students in Grade 6.
  • Consent forms for school-based vaccines will be available to families at the beginning of the school year.
  • People turning 27 and those newly eligible who are turning 46 in 2025 will have until the end of the year to begin their vaccine series, with subsequent doses fully covered.