The HPV vaccine is not covered by Toronto Public Health for boys. It is for girls. Our healthcare professional recommended that we have our boys, ages 13 and almost 16, vaccinated against HPV, as it has shown to decrease some cancers, and also help against contracting HPV. This vaccination series is not publicly funded and the costs associated with each vaccination (a series of three vaccines) will cost $180.00. This is a significant cost to access a potentially lifesaving vaccine. Providing the HPV vaccine free of charge to males through TPH's vaccination program supports the principles of health equity. In addition, expanding the HPV vaccination program to males will provide important health benefits not only to the male population, but to society as a whole by: limiting/reducing the spread of infection (genital warts), and reducing morbidity and mortality (due to cancer) and costs to the health care system related to the diagnosis and treatment of genital warts and HPV-associated cancers.

On May 22, 2013, Toronto Public Health, strong supporter of having the HPV vaccine funded for boys in addition to girls presented the following recommendations to the Ministry of Health.



Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Update - Recommendations for Males and Females



Board Decision

The Board of Health:

1. Urged the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to:

a. Increase efficiency of the current publicly funded HPV school-based vaccination program for females by administering it in grade 7 rather than grade 8;

b. Expand the HPV catch-up program for females in grades 9-12 to include females up to age 26;

c. Expand the publicly funded HPV vaccination program to include males in grade 7;

d. Consider a catch-up HPV vaccination program for males in grades 9-12;

e. Publicly fund the HPV vaccine for men who have sex with men, especially those with HIV;

f. Develop a comprehensive educational campaign to improve HPV immunization coverage, including for males; and

g. Work with Public Health Ontario to continue to monitor adverse events following immunization for the HPV vaccine and report publicly to ensure the ongoing safety of the vaccine.

2. Requested that the report (May 22, 2013) from the Medical Officer of Health be forwarded to the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Ontario Provincial Immunization Review Task Group and its sub-committees for consideration in the Task Group's final report expected in September 2013.

3. Forwarded the report (May 22, 2013) from the Medical Officer of Health to the Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee on Immunization, the Association of Local Public Health Agencies, the Council of Medical Officers of Health in Ontario, Cancer Care Ontario, the Ontario Public Health Association, the Canadian Paediatric Society, the Society for Obstetrics and Gynecologists of Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

The Centre for Disease Control in the U.S. suggests that both boys and girls be immunized against HPV. In fact, they will help pay for the vaccine under their Vaccines for Children program for those who are uninsured, are Medicaid-eligible, American Indian, or an Alaska Native. Our publicly funded healthcare program is demonstrating a bias, if not discrimination, against boys and people who face financial challenges.