Northwest Territories

Learn about HPV vaccine access and coverage in Northwest Territories. 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 50% of the population in Northwest Territories are First Nations, Inuit or Métis.1 Vaccination programs in Northwest Territories should reflect Indigenous-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 grades 4 to 6.3

School closures during the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted vaccination programs in schools, resulting in many children missing doses of the HPV vaccine.4 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 age3 who did not receive the HPV vaccine in school can receive it for free at their local health centre or public health office.2 Primary care providers, physicians, nurse practitioners, community health nurses and public health nurses can administer the vaccine. Prescriptions are technically not required for the HPV vaccine5 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 over the age of 26 can speak with their health care provider or public health nurse 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 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 Northwest Territories. NWT Immunization Schedule. 2022. Available from: https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/sites/hss/files/immunization-schedule-general-public.pdf
  4. 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).
  5. 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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