B.C. Expands HPV Vaccine Access in Cancer Prevention Push
New Eligibility Criteria Target Younger Residents and Specific Communities
British Columbia is broadening its free HPV vaccine program, a significant step in its decade-long strategy to combat cancer. This initiative aims to enhance protection against HPV-related cancers for a wider segment of the population.
Shifting Vaccine Schedules and Expanded Eligibility
The provincial government is updating the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine schedule. For individuals aged nine to 20, the regimen is reduced from two doses to a single dose. Those aged 21 and older can now receive a two-dose series, with the second shot administered six months after the first. Immunocompromised individuals will continue to receive a three-dose series, as outlined in a July 31 announcement from the B.C. Ministry of Health.
Eligibility has also been extended to include individuals aged 19 to 26. Furthermore, people between 27 and 45 years old who are living with HIV or belong to LGBTQIA+ communities are now eligible. Those who have undergone post-colposcopy treatments on or after July 31, 2025, can receive the vaccine at any age.
Accessible Vaccination Points Across B.C.
The HPV vaccine will remain available in schools starting in grade six, as well as at select community pharmacies. Residents can also access the vaccine through various healthcare channels, including sexually transmitted infection clinics, public-health units, primary-care providers, and community nurses. For individuals in First Nations communities, access will be facilitated through local community health centres or nursing stations.
This expansion is a key component of the province’s comprehensive 10-year Cancer Action Plan. The plan seeks to improve cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment outcomes for British Columbians. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends HPV vaccination as a primary prevention strategy against cervical cancer, noting that the virus causes approximately 99% of cervical cancer cases worldwide. (World Health Organization).
