Alberta

Learn about HPV vaccine access and coverage in Alberta. 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 6. Children who did not receive the vaccine in grade 6 will be offered it again in grade 9.2

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, including Alberta, have implemented temporary catch-up programs to help these individuals get vaccinated.

peopleAccessing publicly funded HPV vaccination outside of school

Individuals up to and including 26 years of age who did not receive the HPV vaccine in school can receive it for free through their local public health office and through some post-secondary health initiatives.2

red star in circleAccessing HPV vaccination outside of publicly funded programs

Individuals who did not receive the vaccine in school and are over the age of 26 can speak with their travel health clinic or pharmacist about getting it.2 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, nurse practitioners and some pharmacists4 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. Alberta Health Services. Human Papillomavirus (HPV-9) Vaccine. 2021. Available from: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/hp/cdc/If-hp-cdc-hpv-info-sht-07-240-r01.pdf
  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. 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

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