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Some more information that I recieved

Where can I find credible information about immunization?

Is the National Vaccine Information Centre a credible website to get information about immunization? At first glance one would think so by the name and the high quality look of the site. However, if you use the tools below to help you assess the quality of the information on this site you soon discover that first impressions may be deceiving. The person that developed the site does not have not medical or scientific training and has several publications listed that she stands to profit from. In addition, the site contains very few references to the scientific research that has been done to show the safety of vaccines and relies heavily on personal stories or opinion.

With the increased ease of internet access, more and more people are going there for health information. The internet can provide a wealth of credible information about immunization, but it can also provide just as much MISINFORMATION.
So how can you tell when information on the internet is from a credible source? There are several questions that you should ask yourself when assessing information on the web. Here are a few from a resource found on the first website listed below. To get more detail about these questions to help you determine if a site is credible please clink on the links below.

1. What is the purpose of the website?
2. Who is sponsoring the website?
3. What organizations support the website?
4. How is the website maintained?
5. Who are the authors on the website?

Remember, anyone can create a website. Be aware that information reported on the internet or in the media, even by celebrities endorsing a cause, may not be valid, or if valid may not give you all of the information. Only proper research methods guarantee the information is trustworthy. Always check the source of the information you read.
The above information was taken from an information sheet posted on the Canadian Coalition for Immunization Awareness and Promotion. The website, along with a few other sites containing tools to assess information on the web, are listed below.

http://www.immunize.cpha.ca/uploads/...20e%202008.pdf
http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/heal...ternetinfo.htm
http://www.immunizationinfo.org/immu...ail.cfv?id=102
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/evalwebs.htm

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Immunization Program

In September 2008, a provincially funded immunization program was implemented to help protect females from developing cervical cancer resulting from infections with HPV. The immunization team at Alberta Health and Wellness has received many calls and letters asking about the details of this program. Below are some of the most common questions we responded to:

Who is eligible for this vaccine under the provincial program?

All Grade 5 girls have been offered the vaccine beginning September of 2008 in conjunction with the hepatitis B immunization program in the school setting. In addition, the HPV vaccine will also be offered free-of-charge to all Grade 9 girls over a three year period, beginning in the 2009/2010 school year and ending in the 2011/2012 school year. Three doses of HPV vaccine are recommended in order to develop adequate protection from the HPV strains contained in the vaccine.

The vaccine is licensed for females between the ages of 9 to 26 years. Why is it not being offered free-of-charge to all of these girls and women?

As with every new immunization program, target groups need to be identified and start dates determined. These decisions define who will, or will not, be eligible for vaccine free-of-charge. Many factors go into making these decisions: the age group the vaccine is most effective in, cost, and available human resources to administer the program. When starting a new immunization program, it is critical to ensure that all of the existing public health immunization programs continue to function without interruption.
There is no capacity within Alberta Health and Wellness to fund a HPV program for all women between nine and 26 years of age and some people will fall outside of the program guidelines.

Where can I get the vaccine if I do not qualify for it under the provincial program?

Three options are available for individuals that are not included in the eligibility groups for the provincially funded program:

- You can purchase this vaccine through a prescription provided by your family physician, and have your physician administer the doses of vaccine;
- Several Alberta Health Service (AHS) zones offer programs to purchase this vaccine on a cost recovery basis; or

- Some private health insurance companies will cover part of the cost of the vaccine. Please check with your provider directly to determine if you have coverage.

As the details for access to the vaccine will vary by physician office, insurance provider, and AHS, you should contact them directly for more detailed information.