GARDASIL®

You may have some questions about GARDASIL®.

Click on the questions below to get any information about GARDASIL® you’re still looking for.

You can also get more information about GARDASIL® from your healthcare professional. In addition, read the Patient Product Information or the Prescribing Information for GARDASIL®.

• Does human papillomavirus (HPV) affect males and females?

• Can men get vaccinated with GARDASIL®?

• Is the same vaccine given to both males and females?

• If I'm female and I get vaccinated, do I still need to get Pap tests?

• If I’m already sexually active, can I still get vaccinated?

• Could I get HPV or any disease caused by HPV from GARDASIL®?

• Why is GARDASIL® only for girls and women ages 9 to 26 and boys and men ages 9 to 26?

• What if I’m late getting my second or third dose of GARDASIL®?

• If HPV can cause cervical cancer in women, why does GARDASIL® only protect against 70% of cervical cancers?

• What are the side effects of GARDASIL®?

• Do I need to get all 3 doses of GARDASIL® from the same healthcare professional?

• My healthcare professional ran out of GARDASIL® and had me pick up my vaccine at the pharmacy. Is this okay?

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Does human papillomavirus (HPV) affect males and females?

Yes. HPV is a common virus that affects both males and females. There are more than 100 types of HPV. Most often, HPV does not cause any symptoms and goes away on its own. However, there are a few types of HPV you should really know about, like the 30 to 40 types that affect the genital area.

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Can men get vaccinated with GARDASIL®?

Yes. GARDASIL® helps protect boys and men 9 to 26 years old against infection from HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18, and genital warts caused by types 6 and 11; and GARDASIL® helps protect girls and women 9 to 26 years old against infection from HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18, and the disease they can cause like cervical cancer and genital warts.

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Is the same vaccine given to both males and females?

Yes, males will receive the same vaccine that females do. GARDASIL® helps protect boys and men 9 to 26 years old against infection from HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18, and genital warts caused by types 6 and 11.

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If I'm female and I get vaccinated, do I still need to get Pap tests?

Yes. Vaccination with GARDASIL® does not take the place of regular Pap testsPap testA Pap test, also known as a Pap smear, is part of the gynecological exam and helps detect abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix before they have a chance to become precancers or cervical cancer. Learn more about Pap tests.
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See Full Glossary (cervical cancer screenings). You should always follow your healthcare professional’s advice on getting Pap tests.

Pap tests have been proven to help save lives. A Pap test looks for abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix before they have the chance to become precancers or cervical cancer.

And since GARDASIL® does not protect against all types of HPV, and not all abnormal Pap test results are caused by HPV infections, Pap tests will still be an important part of taking control of your health—and taking care of yourself.

For more information about GARDASIL®, talk to your healthcare professional.

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If I’m already sexually active, can I still get vaccinated?

Yes, you can, but only your healthcare professional can tell you if GARDASIL® is right for you. If you’re already sexually active, you may still benefit from GARDASIL®. If you are already infected with one type of HPV contained in the vaccine, GARDASIL® will help protect you against the other three types. Getting vaccinated now could help protect you against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 if you are exposed to them in the future.

For more information about GARDASIL®, talk to your healthcare professional.

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Could I get HPV or any disease caused by HPV from GARDASIL®?

No. There is no way you can get HPV or any disease caused by HPV from GARDASIL®. That’s because there is no live virus in the vaccine.

Instead, GARDASIL® contains a protein that helps the body’s immune system produce antibodies against 4 types of HPV—without causing an infection.

For more information about GARDASIL®, talk to your healthcare professional.

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Why is GARDASIL® only for girls and women ages 9 to 26 and boys and men ages 9 to 26?

GARDASIL® is only for girls and women ages 9 to 26 and boys and men ages 9 to 26 because the clinical trials for GARDASIL® included females and males within this age group. GARDASIL® was initially studied in this age group because in females HPV infection is most common in teenagers and young adults.

For more information about GARDASIL®, talk to your healthcare professional.

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What if I’m late getting my second or third dose of GARDASIL®?

Ideally, your vaccination schedule should be:

• First dose: at a date you and your healthcare professional choose.
• Second dose: 2 months after the first dose.
• Third dose: 6 months after the first dose.

If you’re a few days late getting your second or third dose of GARDASIL®, don’t panic. If you miss a dose, your healthcare professional will decide when to give the missed dose.

One way to make sure you’re on time for your second and third doses is to make your follow-up appointments before you even leave your healthcare professional’s office. If you think e-mail reminders will help you get your next 2 doses on time, we can help.

For more information about GARDASIL®, talk to your healthcare professional.

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If HPV can cause cervical cancer in women, why does GARDASIL® only protect against 70% of cervical cancers?

Here’s why: Cervical cancerCervical cancerCervical cancer is cancer of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. It can be a result of certain high risk types of HPV. Learn more about cervical cancer.
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See Full Glossary can be caused by many types of HPVGenital HPV (human papillomavirus)About 30 to 40 types of HPV are known as genital HPV since they affect the genital area. Learn more about HPV.
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See Full Glossary. GARDASIL® helps protect against 2 of these types—HPV types 16 and 18. These 2 types of HPV cause 70% of cervical cancers.

GARDASIL® does more than help prevent infection with 2 types of HPV that are responsible for 70% of cervical cancers in women. The vaccine also helps protect against 2 types of HPV that cause genital wartsGenital wartsGenital warts are usually flesh-coloured growths that are caused by certain types of HPV. Learn more about genital warts.
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See Full Glossary in men and women—HPV types 6 and 11. These 2 types of HPV cause 90% of genital warts.

For more information about GARDASIL®, talk to your 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 ages 9 to 26 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 ages 9 to 26 included:

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

If you or your child has any unusual or severe symptoms after receiving GARDASIL®, contact your healthcare professional right away. For a more complete list of side effects, ask your healthcare professional.

Like all vaccines, the safety of GARDASIL® is something that is being followed on an ongoing basis.

For more information about GARDASIL®, talk to your healthcare professional.

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Do I need to get all 3 doses of GARDASIL® from the same healthcare professional?

You don’t need to get all 3 doses of GARDASIL® from the same healthcare professional. But you do need to follow the vaccination schedule to get the full benefits of GARDASIL®.

If you know you’ll be away at school or somewhere else when it’s time for your next dose of GARDASIL®, that’s fine. But think about setting up an appointment now—it will save you from worrying about it later. Plus you can make sure that your healthcare professional has GARDASIL® in stock.

If you think e-mail reminders will help you get your next 2 doses on time, we can help.

For more information about GARDASIL®, talk to your healthcare professional.

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My healthcare professional had me pick up my vaccine at the pharmacy. Is this okay?

Yes. The office may not carry GARDASIL® or it may have just run out. If your healthcare professional does not have GARDASIL®, he or she may write you a prescription so that you can pick up your vaccine at a pharmacy and then come back to be vaccinated. The vaccine should be given as soon as possible after being taken out of the fridge.

When your healthcare professional writes you a prescription for GARDASIL®, be sure to get specific directions about picking up and storing the vaccine.

For more information about GARDASIL®, talk to your 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.