Ontario

Learn about HPV vaccine access and coverage in Ontario. Find out who can get a publicly funded HPV vaccine, where they can get it, and how much it costs to purchase it privately.

Download the map of HPV vaccine access and coverage in Canada.

needleHPV vaccine (type and dosage) administered

GARDASIL®9 is administered according to the NACI recommended immunization schedule for HPV vaccines.1

schoolAccessing publicly funded HPV vaccination in school

Children receive the HPV vaccine in school in grade 7.2

School closures during the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted vaccination programs in schools, resulting in many children missing doses of the HPV vaccine.3 Some provinces/territories have implemented temporary catch-up programs to help these individuals get vaccinated.

peopleAccessing publicly funded HPV vaccination outside of school

Individuals who did not receive the HPV vaccine in school can get it for free until the end of grade 12 through their local public health unit.2 The following groups of individuals can also receive a free HPV vaccine4:

  • Men who have sex with men, up to age 27, if they have not started their vaccine series before September 5, 2017
  • Males up to age 27 who identify as gay or bisexual, if they have not started their vaccine series before September 5, 2017
  • Some individuals up to age 27 who identify as transgender, if they have not started their vaccine series before September 5, 2017

Primary care providers, physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and pharmacists5 can administer the vaccine. Prescriptions are technically not required for the HPV vaccine6 unless the individual is purchasing it themselves*.

red star in circleAccessing HPV vaccination outside of publicly funded programs

Individuals who did not receive the vaccine in school and are not eligible for the publicly funded vaccine can speak with their health care provider or local public health unit about getting it.4 If recommended, the vaccine series can be purchased privately for $510 to $630 (total cost for three doses)**. Some individuals may receive partial or full coverage for the HPV vaccine through their private health insurance plan, although access varies by jurisdiction, insurance provider and individual plans*.

*Prescriptions for the HPV vaccine are often required for private health insurance coverage. Primary care providers, physicians and nurse practitioners can prescribe the HPV vaccine.

**Based on the list price for GARDASIL®9. Prices range due to varied pharmacy costs and injection fees.

  1. Goyette A, Yen GP, Racovitan V, Bhangu P, Kothari S, Franco EL. Evolution of Public Health Human Papillomavirus Immunization Programs in Canada. Curr Oncol 2021; 28(1): 991-1007.
  2. Government of Ontario. Ontario’s Routine Immunization Schedule.Available from: https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontarios-routine-immunization-schedule 
  3. Diamond LM, Clarfield LE, Forte M. Vaccinations against human papillomavirus missed because of COVID-19 may lead to a rise in preventable cervical cancer. CMAJ 2021; 193(37).
  4. Government of Ontario. Nine-valent Human Papillomavirus (HPV9) Vaccine for Ontario’s High-Risk HPV Immunization Program: Information for Patients. 2017 [cited 2022 Jul 27]. Available from: https://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/immunization/docs/hpv9_patient_fact_sheet.pdf
  5. Canadian Pharmacists Association. Injection Authority and Vaccine Administration in Pharmacies Across Canada. 2022. Available from: https://www.pharmacists.ca/cpha-ca/function/utilities/pdf-server.cfm?thefile=/cpha-on-the-issues/Immunization_Authority_Chart.pdf
  6. National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities. Outline of the Schedules. Available from: https://www.napra.ca/clarification-of-vaccine-scheduling-in-the-national-drug-schedules/

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