On July_10, 2006, Health Canada approved GARDASIL(R), (Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (Types 6, 11, 16, 18) Recombinant Vaccine), the first and only vaccine uniquely designed for the prevention of cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancers, as well as precancerous lesions at these sites and genital warts caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. Since becoming available in pharmacies across the country, over 100,000 doses of the vaccine have been distributed.
In late January 2007, the Canadian National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommended that all females between the ages of nine and 13 be routinely vaccinated and that women between the ages of 14 and 26 also be vaccinated, even if they are already sexually active.
The NACI recommendation was endorsed by many Canadian medical organizations including the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) and the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists of Canada (GOC).
The Federal Government then announced in March 2007 that it would make $300 million available over the next three years to provinces and territories to support the launch of an HPV vaccination program. This decision was supported by the Federation of Medical Women of Canada, an organization that had previously showed support for HPV vaccination with a drive for widespread, equitable access on International Women’s Day.
In collaboration with six national health organizations, the SOGC announced it was releasing a newly developed national clinical guideline on HPV in late June 2007.
The announcement stated that the guideline represents an exhaustive review of scientific evidence regarding the management, treatment and prevention of HPV-related diseases and provides clear recommendations for healthcare professionals on the use of the vaccine.