Newfoundland and Labrador
Female Grade 6 pupils will receive the vaccine at school-based clinics toward the end of November and early December. The grade was chosen, explains Faith Stratton, the province's chief medical officer, because it is easier for the schools to deliver the vaccine to pupils before they change schools, and begin moving between classrooms. The province also wanted to be certain that it gave the vaccine before girls became sexually active. Girls in higher grades, or those who don't participate in the school clinic, will have to pay between $400 and $500 for a vaccine, or rely on private health insurance to cover it.
Prince Edward Island
The immunization program is being offered to Grade 6 girls in the province this fall. There was much discussion as to what grade to offer the vaccine in, but Lamont Sweet, the deputy chief health officer, says experts familiar with the sexual behaviour of students recommended Grade 6. Students will receive the vaccine in October or November. Those in higher grades will either have to pay for the vaccine or rely on private health insurance.
Nova Scotia
The vaccine will be offered for free in school over the next several weeks to girls in Grade 7. The grade was chosen, a provincial spokesperson says, because it coincided with sex-education curriculum being offered in that year, and made sense logistically. As with other vaccine programs, home-schooled students will be able to receive the vaccine at a local school in their area. No independent schools in the province have declined to offer the vaccine. The province will not cover vaccines given by family doctors to girls in Grade 7, or to girls in other grades.
Ontario
The vaccine is being offered for free in schools to girls in Grade 8. A provincial spokesman says the grade was chosen because it is before most girls become sexually active, but not before they learn about sexually transmitted diseases. Girls in higher grades will have to pay for the vaccine or rely on private health insurance to cover the cost. Some Catholic school boards haven't yet made a formal decision on having Public Health administer the vaccine in their schools.
Manitoba
No decision. The province is in the process of developing a working group so it can look at ways to implement a program.
Alberta
The province has delayed any decision about offering the vaccine in schools until the Canadian Immunization Committee, and a separate panel of provincial experts, complete their reviews of the drug.
British Columbia
The province is still working on its implementation plan, and is looking to start vaccinating girls in September, 2008. What age groups will be vaccinated is still being determined, but the province is considering Grade 6.
Northwest Territories
No decision yet — still in the planning stages and awaiting recommendations from the Canadian Immunization Committee.
New Brunswick, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Nunavut
No decision yet.
