HPV immunization policies

Equity-denied populations

Immigrant and refugee, materially and socially deprived, and rural and remote populations are disproportionately affected by cancer and frequently have lower immunization rates. Despite limited data in Canada, additional communities, such as 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and people of certain races and ethnicities, are likely to experience higher rates of cancer and may also experience barriers to HPV immunization.

Identifying and implementing population-specific strategies is imperative to increasing HPV immunization rates.

A mixed approach could be effective at reducing the vaccine disparities among remote, rural, suburban and urban areas, including:

• improving parental/guardian HPV education;
• communication between healthcare providers and parents;
• creating school-based approaches; and
• improving capacity for human resources and supports.

Learn more about the UPHN’s work to identify and implement population-specific strategies.

Specific equity-denied communities experiencing under immunization include, but are not limited to:

• Immigrant and refugee populations
• Materially and socially deprived populations
• Rural and remote populations
• Trans and gender-diverse populations

Immigrant and refugee populations

• Opportunities to promote adequate protection of immigrant and refugee populations against cancer include increasing access to immunization and addressing misinformation related to HPV immunization.
• Insights from immigrant and refugee parents indicate that more information and education around the HPV vaccine and HPV-related cancers and a recommendation from a healthcare provider would encourage increased uptake.
• Children and adolescents who are new to Canada may already be immunized according to the recommendations of their home country, which may not be the same as Canadian recommendations.

Materially and socially deprived populations

• Individuals experiencing material and social deprivation are disproportionately affected by HPV and HPV-related cancer.
• UPHN-led projects determined that under-immunization with the HPV vaccine was strongly correlated with material and social deprivation, suggesting that HPV immunization should be part of broader public health efforts to address inequities.¹

Rural and remote populations

• Rural and remote populations experience lower rates of HPV immunization and higher rates of cancer such as cervical cancer.
• It is important to understand the specific challenges faced by rural and remote populations.
• Clinics located in convenient and accessible areas for rural and remote populations are a key factor in HPV vaccine delivery. This suggests that the range of healthcare professionals that are permitted to administer a vaccine should be expanded.

Trans and gender-diverse populations

• UPHN-led projects found that lack of relevant information provided to trans and gender-diverse individuals is a barrier to HPV immunization. Using gender neutral and inclusive language in individual and public level education materials can support removing barriers for trans and gender-diverse individuals.¹
• Using Two-spirit inclusive language can further support trans and gender-diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis individuals and their communities.