September 25, 2007 – From the start of the 2008 school year, girls aged 9 and over can be vaccinated free of charge against the human papillomavirus (HPV). The measure, which will cost $ 70 million over four years, aims “to protect young girls against cancer of the cervix”1.
The Minister of Health and Social Services, Philippe Couillard, made the announcement during the unveiling of the cancer control strategy for the next five years.
Girls who get the HPV vaccine next year will get the Gardasil vaccineMC, marketed by Merck. The Quebec Immunization Committee will see to the implementation of the vaccination program.
By vaccinating girls before they have their first sexual intercourse, Quebec wishes to protect them against HPV infections. The vaccine provides immunization against four strains of HPV, two of which are present in 70% of cervical cancer cases. However, it can take 20 to 30 years for cancer to become noticeable. HPV is also responsible for the appearance of genital warts.
The $ 70 million that will be allocated to this vaccination program will come from the federal government. In January 2007, it made $ 300 million available to provinces wishing to create an HPV vaccination program.
In Quebec, the cost of implementing the program is estimated at 40 million for the first year. We then plan to inject 10 million for the next three years.
The individual cost of the vaccine, which includes three injections, is around C $ 500. But the number of injections remains to be specified. “We knew that the vaccine could be effective from two doses: will it be two or three doses that will be recommended? There is nothing decided from a medical point of view, ”said Minister Philippe Couillard’s press secretary, Dominique Breton.
In Quebec, it is estimated that 75 women die of cervical cancer each year.
Strategies to fight cancer
In addition, Philippe Couillard announced a plan to fight cancer, which will require an investment of $ 75 million by 2012.2.
Among the sixty or so orientations provided for in this plan, we find the establishment of a Quebec cancer registry, the strengthening of interdisciplinary teams in oncology and palliative care, as well as the increase in the number of pivot nurses.
The government also intends to conduct awareness campaigns to raise awareness of screening programs, including mammography for breast cancer and the Papanicolaou (Pap) test for cervical cancer.
Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net
1. See the press release issued on September 24, 2007 by the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS): http://communiques.gouv.qc.ca/gouvqc. [Consulté le 25 septembre 2007].
2. See the press release issued on September 24, 2007 by the MSSS: http://communiques.gouv.qc.ca [Consulté le 25 septembre 2007].