HPV vaccine in school: grade and doses by province

Parents of Canadian kids in elementary school will hear about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine sooner or later, but the grade it is offered in, and the number of doses, depends on where you live. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) keeps a table of each province and territory’s routine childhood immunization programs, last updated in July 2026. Here is what it says about HPV.

HPV is a common virus spread through skin-to-skin contact. Some types can lead to cancers later in life, including cervical cancer. The vaccine is offered in the early school years through routine programs run by each province and territory, which is why the details differ across the country.

HPV vaccine by province and territory

What stands out

Grade 6 is the most common starting point. It is listed for B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon and Nunavut. Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia list Grade 7. Quebec starts earliest among the provinces, in the fourth year of primary school, and the Northwest Territories offers it in Grade 4, 5 or 6 for children starting at age 9.

The number of doses also varies. According to the PHAC table, B.C., Quebec, New Brunswick, Yukon and Nunavut list a single dose. The other jurisdictions list two doses.

Missed the school clinic?

The PHAC table notes two catch-up options. Prince Edward Island lists a Grade 12 catch-up. Quebec says it has a catch-up vaccination program in the third year of secondary school, where students are given missed vaccines, including those against HPV. The table does not list catch-up details for other provinces and territories.

If your child was away on clinic day or you are unsure whether they were vaccinated, check their immunization record. Your local public health unit or your province’s health website can tell you how to book a missed dose. Because the PHAC page does not give cost, booking or eligibility rules for older teens and adults, those details should be confirmed with your province or territory directly.

How to check your own province

Provincial programs can change from year to year, including grade, dose count and who is eligible. The federal table is a good starting point, but your provincial or territorial public health site is the final word on current dates and how to book. Most school programs send consent forms home in the fall or winter, so watch your child’s backpack.

PHAC also publishes the Canadian Immunization Guide chapter on HPV vaccines, which explains the national recommendations behind these programs. It is linked below.

Sources: Public Health Agency of Canada, Provincial and territorial routine vaccination programs for infants and children; Canadian Immunization Guide: Human papillomavirus vaccine.

This article is based on official guidance from the Public Health Agency of Canada and is provided for general public information. It’s not a substitute for medical advice, if you have questions about how this applies to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

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