The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is urging greater uptake of the HPV vaccine after new national data showed cervical cancer rates in Canada are no longer declining.
According to the Health Unit, more than 99% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV, a virus that can also lead to oral, throat, anal, penile, vaginal, and vulvar cancers. Ontario has offered the HPV vaccine through its Grade 7 school immunization program since 2007, but local coverage remains at about 63%, leaving more than 2,000 students each year unvaccinated. Health officials note that cervical cancer rates among females aged 20 to 44 are roughly 50% higher in Simcoe Muskoka compared to the provincial average. Studies cited by the Health Unit indicate that the HPV vaccine is highly effective, with research from Scotland reporting no cervical cancer cases among fully vaccinated young women.
Students who missed the vaccine in Grade 7 can still receive it free of charge until the end of Grade 12, and eligibility extends to age 26 for men who have sex with men. Officials emphasize that the vaccine works best when given before exposure to the virus and is recommended for both males and females due to the broad cancer risks associated with HPV. The Health Unit says Canada had been on track to eliminate HPV-related cancers by 2040 and notes that vaccination remains the most effective prevention tool.
More information about vaccines for students is available online, and residents can speak with a public health professional by calling 705-721-7520 ext. 8827 or 1-877-721-7520.
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