Nunavut

Learn about HPV vaccine access and coverage in Nunavut. 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.

Over 80% of the population in Nunavut are Inuit.1 Vaccination programs in Nunavut should reflect Inuit-determined priorities and values.

needleHPV vaccine (type and dosage) administered

GARDASIL®9 is administered according to the NACI recommended immunization schedule for HPV vaccines.2

schoolAccessing publicly funded HPV vaccination in school

Children receive the HPV vaccine in school in grade 6.3 Those who were in grade 6 in the 2017/2018 school year or later remain eligible until grade 12.4

School closures during the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted vaccination programs in schools, resulting in many children missing doses of the HPV vaccine.5 Some provinces/territories have implemented temporary catch-up programs to help these individuals get vaccinated.

peopleAccessing publicly funded HPV vaccination outside of school

Individuals 9 to 26 years of age6 who did not receive the HPV vaccine in school can receive it for free through their health care provider.7 Primary care providers, physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses can administer the vaccine. Prescriptions are technically not required for the HPV vaccine8 unless the individual is purchasing it themselves*.

red star in circleAccessing HPV vaccination outside of publicly funded programs

Individuals who did not receive the HPV vaccine in school and are over the age of 26 can speak with their health care provider 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. Statistics Canada. Aboriginal Population Profile, 2016 Census. Available from: https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/abpopprof/index.cfm?Lang=E
  2. 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.
  3. Government of Nunavut. Immunization Programs. Available from: https://www.gov.nu.ca/health/information/immunization-programs
  4. Government of Nunavut. Nunavut Childhood and Adult Immunization Schedules and Catch-up Aids. 2020. Available from: https://gov.nu.ca/sites/default/files/7.0_nunavut_childhood_and_adult_immunization_schedules_and_catch-up_aids_-oct_2_2020.pdf
  5. 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).
  6. Government of Nunavut. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 9-valent Immunization Protocol for Gardasil®9. 2022. Unpublished.
  7. Government of Nunavut. Nunavut Communicable Disease and Surveillance Manual: 7.2 Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). 2013. Available from: https://www.gov.nu.ca/sites/default/files/files/Nunavut%20HPV%20Immunization%20Program_28Aug2013.pdf
  8. 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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