HPV immunization for cancer prevention

About this resource

This resource (published March 2025) includes information on improving access to HPV immunization. It is intended for policymakers and practitioners at provincial/territorial levels, as well as others involved in this work, and is part of Canada’s ongoing work to achieve the Action Plan for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer in Canada, 2020-2030 (Action Plan).

Key takeaways on HPV immunization

• HPV is related to cervical, anal, genital, and certain head and neck cancers. In 2024, these cancers accounted for over $300 million health system costs in Canada.² Health system costs related to all aspects of cancer care expected to increase over the next 10 years.²
• To help prevent cancer cases, Canada has set a target of 90% HPV immunization coverage of 17-year-olds.
• As of 2024, one dose of the HPV vaccine is recommended for all individuals 9 to 20 years of age, unless immunocompromised.³ Quebec is the first province to offer one-dose HPV immunization in their 2024-25 publicly funded program.⁴
• HPV immunizations are offered through publicly funded school-based and catch-up programs in all provinces and territories in Canada.
• Eligibility for the HPV vaccine outside of school-based programs varies greatly across Canada. Manitoba,⁵ Prince Edward Island,⁶ and Newfoundland and Labrador⁷ offer the most coverage by making publicly funded HPV vaccines available to anyone who was previously eligible for it but did not receive it (“once-eligible-always-eligible”).
• HPV immunization coverage continues to lag behind coverage for other vaccines administered to adolescents. HPV coverage among 14-year-olds in 2021 was approximately 84% for at least one dose of the HPV vaccine.^8,9
• HPV immunization coverage varies greatly by province and territory and varies regionally within each province and territory across the country. Although there has been progress to HPV vaccine uptake across Canada, provinces and territories continue to recover from disruptions to immunization programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.⁸
• Cancer patients and caregivers spend approximately 16% of their annual income on out-of-pocket expenses. HPV immunization is a cost-effective way to reduce the economic burden of cancer in Canada, including costs associated with medical care, medications, and transportation and caregiver costs, and can help reduce the burden of costs associated with lost productivity at work.¹⁰

Key takeaways on the elimination of cervical cancer

• Canada aims to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040.
• Immunization, screening, and improved result follow-up are important components of the Action Plan for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer in Canada, 2020-2030 (Action Plan). Canada can eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 by expanding access to the publicly funded HPV vaccine and shifting from Pap testing to HPV testing for cervical screening.
• Cervical cancer accounted for about $132 million in health system costs in Canada in 2024.² Cervical cancer can be eliminated through a combination of immunization and HPV testing.
• Many equity-denied populations experience higher rates of cervical cancer and lower rates of HPV immunization. The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer is working closely with partners across the country to understand and address barriers faced by equity-denied populations and communities.

Saving resources, preventing suffering

As a nation, we only have one pot of resources to treat cancer. If we remove [cervical] cancer from the need to tap into those resources, there’s more to spread around to the rest.

If we’re speaking specifically about people who endure cervical cancer, removing the need for treatment, the need for suffering, and the need for fear that goes with it… that’s priceless.

– Deb Bulych, President and CEO of the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency