Gardasil 9 HPV Vaccine

What is HPV?

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. HPV spreads through intimate skin-to-skin contact and does not require intercourse for transmission. Nearly 80 million people in the U.S. are currently infected, and about 14 million new infections occur every year. Most HPV infections have no symptoms and clear on their own without causing serious harm. However, certain high-risk strains can persist and lead to cancer, while other strains cause genital warts. HPV is responsible for nearly 39,000 cancers in the U.S. each year, including cancers of the:

• Cervix
• Vagina and vulva
• Penis
• Anus
• Oropharynx (back of the throat)

Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent HPV infection and the cancers and diseases it can cause.

An Overview of the HPV Vaccine

The Gardasil 9 vaccine prevents several different strains of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), including cancers (cervical, vaginal, anal, etc) that may come as a result of infection. In addition to these cancers, Gardasil 9 also prevents genital warts. In the U.S., about 12,000 women get cervical cancer every year, and about 4,000 women die from it. Gardasil 9 can prevent most of these cancers. HPV infection usually comes from sexual contact, and most people will become infected at some point in their life. About 14 million Americans get infected every year. Many infections will go away and not cause serious problems, but thousands of women and men get cancer and diseases from HPV. Click here to watch Lily’s story about living with cervical cancer as a result of HPV.

Common Questions About the Gardasil 9 HPV Vaccine

What Cancers Does Gardasil 9 Protect Against?

Beyond cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and anal cancers, Gardasil 9 also helps prevent oropharyngeal and other head and neck cancers, meaning cancers of the back of the throat, base of the tongue, and tonsils. The FDA expanded Gardasil 9’s indication to include these cancers in 2020. 

Which HPV Strains Does Gardasil 9 Cover?

Gardasil 9 protects against nine strains of HPV, types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 (the high-risk, cancer-causing strains) and types 6 and 11 (which cause the majority of genital warts). 

How Effective is Gardasil 9?

In clinical studies, Gardasil 9 was found to be 97% effective in preventing cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancers caused by the five additional HPV types it covers (31, 33, 45, 52, and 58). Overall, vaccination could prevent more than 90% of cancers caused by HPV from ever developing. The vaccine works best when given before a person has been exposed to the HPV strains it covers.

Who Should Get the HPV Vaccine?

The FDA and ACIP recommend this important anti cancer vaccine for males and females, aged 9-45 years. Typically it’s a three dose series. One now, second in two months and the third in six months. ACIP recommends a 2 dose series for ages 9-14 because the immune response is similar to a 3 dose series in older age range. The FDA approved adding the two-dose schedule for HPV9 for adolescents 9-14. One now, a second in 6 months. Gardasil is indicated for boys and girls 9-26 years of age. Gardasil should not be taken by pregnant women.

Safety and Side Effects

Gardasil 9 has been studied in clinical trials with more than 15,000 participants and has a well-established safety record, with over 135 million doses of HPV vaccines distributed in the United States. Side effects are generally mild and may include pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, headache, mild fever, nausea, and dizziness. Fainting can occasionally occur after any vaccination, so recipients should remain seated or lying down for 15 minutes after receiving the shot. Anyone with a severe allergy to yeast or to any component of the vaccine should not receive Gardasil 9.

Important Reminders

Gardasil 9 is a preventive vaccine, it does not treat existing HPV infections or HPV-related conditions. It is not a substitute for routine cervical cancer screening. Women should continue following their healthcare provider’s recommended Pap smear schedule even after vaccination. Want to know if the Gardasil HPV vaccine is right for you or your child? Come into The Shot Nurse today!