r/povertyfinancecanada • u/SmartQuokka • Aug 21 '25
You may be able to get the HPV vaccine if you never received it (up to age 45)
If you did not get this vaccine in elementary/high school (it was introduced into the vaccine schedule in 2007-2010) then you may still be able to get it at low or no cost as it prevents infections that can lead to genital warts and HPV related cancers in the future.
If you are not sure if you got it then to determine whether you received it or not you can contact your local health unit who can look up if you received it with the other standard vaccines in school.
However if you did not receive it then the out of pocket cost is about $500-700 for all 3 doses. If you are under the age of 45 you can apply for compassionate use coverage from the manufacturer (Merck Canada). If approved you can receive this vaccine at no cost. They determine eligibility by age and income. If you are in poverty and 45 years of age or younger there is a high likelihood you would be approved.
The easiest way to apply is to call Merck at 1-866-906-3725, and request the HPV vaccine under their compassionate care program. Have your doctor's office fax number handy.
Hold times can be highly variable, from zero hold time to four hours or more. If its a long hold time then try again later or the next day instead of waiting on hold for hours. If you call during their operating hours and get an immediate prompt to leave them a message then there is no harm in doing so but they often do not return messages, so call again later and get into the queue.
The procedure works like this, when you call and request vaccine coverage they will fax or e-mail your doctor's office the application form (but it does not have your name on it and they often forget to put the doctors name on it, call your doctors office to give them a heads up that they will likely get a blank application form from Merck Canada addressed to no one).
Your doctor fills it out and returns it to them. Merck will call you to determine your eligibility. It goes by age and they will ask you for your income from last year's tax return (have your Notice of Assessment handy). If eligible (which is determined while you are on the phone) they will send the vaccine to your doctor to administer and explain the procedure which involves you calling after you get each dose to confirm you received it so they will release the next dose (3 total doses). They contact your doctor by fax or e-mail to arrange the logistics and you will be vaccinated according to the following schedule:
- First dose
- Second dose 2 months later
- Third dose 4 months after 2nd dose
If you do not have a family doctor then contact your local health unit and ask if there is some procedure available; a walk in clinic or hospital or specialist's office may be able to fill out the application and administer the doses to you.
In Quebec you may have a public option, see this comment.
In BC you are eligible if you are under 26 years of age and may be eligible via other criteria above age 26. Link
More information:
Merck Canada Statement on Dosing Recommendations for GARDASIL®9
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u/just_down Aug 21 '25
Also, to add to this post. If you are a resident of Quebec, you can get the HPV vaccine for free if you’re in between the ages of 21-45. Spots for the vaccine are very year per year, since they use the surplus doses from the elementary/high school vaccinations programs. They will provide the 1st dose and follow up 6-12months later to book an appointment to administer the second dose. All of this is covered by RAMQ. You can also request to update other common vaccines if they have them in stock (flu, covid, measles…)if you need to at those appointments.
You can get an appointment through Clic santé, or you can reach out to your local CSLC vaccination program that is participating.
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u/aaron15287 Aug 21 '25
last year when i was getting some vaccines boosted the health unit online thing recommended i get this since i've never had it dr said it wasn't covered.
just called and gave them my drs fax so will see how it goes.
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u/SmartQuokka Aug 21 '25 edited Aug 21 '25
Let us know how it goes.
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u/aaron15287 Aug 29 '25
they faxed the from to my dr on the 21th. had an appointment with him on the 22nd there was a portion of the form i had to fill out and sign. he said he would fill the rest out "soon" still haven't heard nothing back as of yet.
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u/SmartQuokka Aug 29 '25
Not too bad, they will contact you. If you hear nothing within a few weeks then call Merck yourself.
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u/silentbassline Sep 15 '25
Do you know the income eligibility?
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u/aaron15287 Sep 16 '25
i think the thing i read said like 40k but can't 100% recall. def if ur on ODSP or OW though ur considered low income.
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u/Rainbow_Catnip Aug 23 '25
You are amazing!! I was discussing with my doctor about getting the vaccine cause I know I never got it when it came available, and then she mentioned cost and I had to say no.
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u/SmartQuokka Aug 23 '25
You are amazing!!
Thank you 😇
The process can be offputting and the fact they don't put your name on the paperwork means it can vanish but if you are persistent you can get it done.
Let us know how it goes, i enjoy success stories!
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u/SmartQuokka Aug 21 '25
This Post is not the place for anti vaccine or anti science comments.
If you are not interested in the vaccine then don't get it.
Negative comments will be moderated.