In the fall of 2007, the Ontario government launched a 3 year, $117 million program to provide the HPV vaccine, Gardasil, to approximately 84 ooo grade 8 girls in schools. Gardasil is a 3 dose vaccination that has been shown to be 100% effective in preventing infection with HPV strains 16 and 18, which together cause about 70% of cervical cancer cases, and about 99% effective in preventing HPV strains 6 and 11, which together with HPV strains 16 and 18 cause about 90% of genital wart cases, among women not already infected with these strains (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 7/18).
Grade 8 girls have been targeted for this program because the vaccine is most effective when given to girls before they have become sexually active. Also, grade 8 girls are believed to have a solid education and understanding of STIs and how to protect themselves, therefore they are mature enough to receive the HPV vaccine (www.HPVontario.ca).
The vaccine is completely free, and is not mandatory, but is however, strongly encouraged. A public awareness campaign was launched just before the program, to spread awareness. David Jensen, a spokesman for the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care, said the campaign is meant to inform girls and their parents about the importance of the new vaccine. The campaign is made up of television, radio, and print ads depicting young girls and their mothers discussing the value of the vaccine, as well as stats and information on HPV and Cervical Cancer. Parental consent forms are issued prior to the vaccination, however, if a girl wants the vaccination and her parents object, the girl will be able to override her parents and receive the vaccine (CBCnews.ca, 2007).
The program was given the go-ahead by Premier Dalton McGuinty, who said the Ontario government's decision is based on expert advice, and that it is sanctioned by the Public Health Agency of Canada, the National Advisory Committee on Vaccination, Cancer Care Ontario and the Canadian Cancer Society (CBCnews.ca, 2007). Much controversy has followed the decision to implement this program, such as should all school boards allow the implementation of this program? As well as, has enough testing been done on the Gardasil vaccine to ensure it is safe for all girls, and has no long term side effects?
References
Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy (August, 2007). Ontario To Launch Program To Provide HPV Vaccine to Eighth-Grade Girls This Fall. http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.com
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (August, 2007). Human Papilloma Virus Immunization Program. http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/media/news_releases/archives/nr_07/aug/bg_20070802.html
www.HPVontario.ca
CBCnews.ca (August, 2007). Ontario's HPV program expert-approved: premier. http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2007/08/02/ontario-hpv.html
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Public awareness ads showing young girls and their mothers discussing the vaccine ... not from what I've seen! I was watching television the other day and I saw one of these so called 'public awareness' messages - it consisted of a mother talking about vaccinating her daughter, while the daughter stood beside her completely silent - resting her head on her mother's shoulder. What kind of message is this sending??? I saw absolutely no evidence of and/or reference to any discussion relating to the HPV vaccination or even about safe sex practices in general. The ad completely stripped the 'young girl' in the commericial of any agency with respect to making her own decisions about her sexual health. As far as I'm concerned this is NOT the type of public awareness that should be raised.
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