Canada Approved Vaccine to Prevent HPV-Related Oropharyngeal and Head and Neck Cancers

Quebec-based Merck Canada today announced Health Canada approved an expanded indication of GARDASIL®9 in individuals 9 through 45 years of age to prevent infection caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58.

And this approval is for Oropharyngeal and other head and neck cancers caused by HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58. 

It is estimated that more than 550,000 Canadians become infected with HPV each year.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, about 25% to 35% of mouth and throat cancers are related to oral HPV infection.

And the proportion of tonsillar cancers in Canada in which HPV has been detected increased from 25% (1993–1999) to 62% (2006–2011).

"Scheduling regular dentist check-ups can allow your dental professional to detect signs of head and neck cancers, including oropharyngeal cancers, at their earliest stage," said Dr. Cheryl Cable, Maxillofacial Prosthodontist, President of Canadian Association of Women Dentists, Lead of the Alberta Head and Neck Cancer Dental Leadership Team, and Associate Professor of the University of Alberta, in a press release issued on April 11, 2022.

"Canadians should speak to their dental professional about a thorough evaluation, as there is currently no screening program for head and neck cancers."

The oropharyngeal and other head and neck cancer indication for GARDASIL9 has been issued market authorization with conditions, pending the results of trials to verify its clinical benefit.

Healthcare practitioners should advise patients of the nature of the authorization. And GARDASIL9 is not recommended for use in pregnant women in Canada.

The U.S. FDA approved an expanded indication for GARDASIL9 to prevent oropharyngeal cancers in 2021.

In the U.S., the CDC published updated HPV vaccination schedules in February 2022.

HPV vaccines are offered in the U.S. by clients and most pharmacies.

Additional HPV vaccine news is posted at this weblink.

Note: Merck Canada statements were edited for clarity and manually curated for mobile device readers.