GARDASIL®

As a parent, your son’s/daughter’s health is one of your top concerns. So it’s no surprise that you may have a few more questions you want answered about GARDASIL® and HPV. Here are some answers to questions we’ve heard from parents just like you.

Also talk to your son’s/daughter’s healthcare professional for more information about GARDASIL® and HPV. In addition, read the Patient Product Information or the Prescribing Information for GARDASIL®.

• Will my daughter still need to get Pap tests in the future?

• Why do I need to vaccinate my son/daughter now if he/she is not sexually active?

• In addition to helping protect against HPV and cervical cancer, what else does GARDASIL® help protect against?

• What are the side effects of GARDASIL®?

• Why should I also help protect my son/daughter against genital warts?

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Will my daughter still need to get Pap tests in the future?

Yes. Pap tests (cervical cancer screenings) will play a key role in protecting your daughter’s health as she gets older since GARDASIL® does not protect against all types of HPV, and not all abnormal Pap test results are caused by HPV infections. Pap tests are proven to help save lives by looking for abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix before they have the chance to become precancers or cancer.

Your daughter’s healthcare professional can tell you when your daughter’s first Pap test should be. In the meantime, it’s never too early to teach your daughter good healthcare habits.

For more information about GARDASIL® and HPV, talk to your daughter’s healthcare professional.

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Why do I need to vaccinate my son/daughter now if he/she is not sexually active?

It may be hard to think about your son/daughter even having to worry about coming into contact with HPV. After all, he/she isn’t sexually active.

But, like other vaccines your son/daughter may have received, GARDASIL® works to help prevent illness. That means GARDASIL® works best when given before there is any contact with HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. It’s important to help protect your son/daughter now, before he’s/she’s exposed to HPV.

However, if your son or your daughter is older and already sexually active, he or she can still benefit from GARDASIL®.

For more information about GARDASIL® and HPV, talk to your son’s/daughter’s healthcare professional.

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In addition to helping protect against HPV and cervical cancer, what else does GARDASIL® help protect against?

GARDASIL® is a vaccine that helps protect against 4 types of human papillomavirus (HPV): 2 types that cause 70% of cervical cancers in women, and 2 more types that cause 90% of genital warts in men and women.

By vaccinating your daughter with GARDASIL®, you’re helping to protect her against diseases caused by 4 types of HPV:

• Cervical cancer
• Vulvar and vaginal cancers
• Abnormal and precancerous cervical, vulvar and vaginal cells (as found in Pap tests)
• Genital warts

By vaccinating your son with GARDASIL®, you're helping to protect him against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18, and genital warts caused by types 6 and 11.

For more information about GARDASIL® and HPV, talk to your son’s/daughter’s healthcare professional.

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What are the side effects of GARDASIL®?

Like all vaccines, GARDASIL® may cause some side effects. GARDASIL® has been shown to be generally well tolerated in adults and children as young as 9 years old.

The most commonly reported side effects in girls and women 9 to 26 years old included:

• Pain, swelling, itching, bruising and redness where the shot was given.
• Fever, nausea, dizziness, headache and vomiting were also reported.

The most commonly reported side effects in boys and men 9 to 26 years old included:

• Pain, swelling and redness where the shot was given.
• Headache
• Fever

If your son/daughter has any unusual or severe symptoms after receiving GARDASIL®, contact his/her healthcare professional right away. For a more complete list of side effects, ask your son's/daughter's healthcare professional.

The safety of the vaccine is something that is being followed on an ongoing basis.

For more information about GARDASIL® and HPV, talk to your son’s/daughter’s healthcare professional.

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Why should I also help protect my son/daughter against HPV and genital warts?

Men and women have about a 10% risk of developing genital warts in their lifetime. By getting your son/daughter vaccinated with GARDASIL® you’ll help protect him/her against HPV types 6 and 11, which cause about 90% of genital warts.

Learn everything you can.
Do everything you can.
Talk to your healthcare professional.

For more information about GARDASIL® and HPV, talk to your son’s/daughter’s healthcare professional.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GARDASIL®

GARDASIL® is a vaccine indicated in girls and women 9-26 years of age, for the prevention of infection caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18, and the following diseases associated with these types: cervical cancer, abnormal and precancerous cervical cells, vulvar and vaginal cancers, abnormal and precancerous vulvar and vaginal cells, and genital warts. GARDASIL® is indicated in boys and men 9-26 years of age for the prevention of infection caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18, and genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11. 

GARDASIL® helps prevent these diseases but it does not treat them. And just like all vaccines, GARDASIL® may not fully protect everyone who gets it. GARDASIL® does not protect against all types of HPV. Duration of protection over the long term has not been established. Vaccination with GARDASIL® is not recommended during pregnancy. GARDASIL® may cause side effects and allergic reactions.

Even if you get vaccinated with GARDASIL®, it is still important for women to continue having regular Pap tests.

Only a healthcare professional can decide if GARDASIL® is right for you, your son or your daughter.

Read the Patient Product Information or the Prescribing Information for more information.