While males can get HPV, the vaccine has only been tested with girls and women at this time. Studies are underway to determine if the vaccine works for males.

Saskatchewan is implementing the HPV vaccination program this fall, but several jurisdictions started this past year.

The Ministry of Health wants to ensure that Saskatchewan girls entering grade 7 in the 2008-2009 school year have the same access to the publicly-funded vaccine program as they would have had in another province or territory.

Vaccines are assessed for their ability to produce antibodies (an immune response) and prevent disease. Clinical trials of Gardasil® for females aged nine to 26 demonstrated that the vaccine produced high levels of antibodies in the blood and the rates of pre-cancerous cervical disease were significantly reduced.

The basis for all immunization programs to protect your child before they come in contact with an infectious or communicable disease. Similarly, the HPV vaccine is most effective when provided to girls who have not been exposed to HPV through sex.

Saskatchewan studies have shown that by age 15, 6.7% of girls have had sexual intercourse, and by age 16, it's 26.7%.

Although the Ministry of Health recommends that all Saskatchewan girls in grade six receive the publicly-funded vaccine, it is not mandatory.

Speak with your daughter and decide what's right for you. Public health will only cover the cost of the HPV vaccine provided to grade 6 students as part of the school based provincial immunization program. For 2008 only, grade 7 students will also be included.

Successful vaccination programs are routinely implemented based on short-term effectiveness data. However, clinical trials have shown that Gardasil® is safe and effective for at least five years.

Surveillance and research on the duration of effectiveness and the potential need for HPV booster shots will continue and the Public Health Agency of Canada has a lead role in this area.

The Ministry of Health recommends that all eligible Saskatchewan girls receive the publicly-funded vaccine through the immunization program in grade 6.

If your daughter is outside of the target age group, you may still choose to have her receive the HPV vaccine through your physician; however, it will be at your own expense.

Remember that Saskatchewan public health will only pay for vaccinations administered through the publicly-funded school immunization program.

Gardasil ®is currently the only approved HPV vaccine in Canada.

If other HPV vaccines are approved by Health Canada, it will then be up to the provinces and territories to recommend a vaccine for use within their jurisdiction. Physicians may also prescribe any approved vaccine to their patients.

For the HPV immunization program, it is important to vaccinate young women before they have sex. In Saskatchewan, the Ministry of Health is providing vaccinations to girls grade 6 and for 2008-2009, grade 7.

If your daughter is nine to 26 years of age, she may be immunized through your physician's office, but it will be at your own expense.

Your health care provider should be able to answer any questions you have.

You can also contact your regional health authority public health office for additional information and questions about school-based immunization programs in your community.