HPV vaccination: Temporary free availability of the Cervarix vaccine

The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS) has announced that healthy adults aged 21 to 45 who have never been vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) can temporarily receive an HPV vaccine free of charge.

Notes from nurses at Concordia Health Services:

• Cervarix, the HPV vaccine being offered for free, is different from Gardasil-9: Cervarix protects against two strains, while Gardasil-9 protects against nine strains of the virus.
• The strains of HPV Cervarix protects against are the types most associated with the development of cancer.
• Anyone aged 21 to 45, including international students, can book the free vaccine.

To book a free vaccine, call 514-734-9911.

Health Services will be running a Gardasil-9 vaccination clinic on November 26. Some students are eligible to receive the Gardasil-9 vaccine for free (including everyone 20 years old and younger; see the event posting for more information). Your insurance may also cover part of the cost.

If you are not eligible to receive Gardasil-9 for free and it doesn’t fit into your budget, the free Cervarix vaccine is a good option for you.