Why should women get vaccinated?

Women are at risk for certain HPV-related cancers

For most people, HPV clears on its own. But for those who don’t clear the virus, it can cause certain cancers and diseases.

For adults through age 45, consider GARDASIL 9.

HPV, human papillomavirus.

Cervical cancer is the most common HPV-related cancer in women.a

aBased on 2015-2019 CDC data.

But did you know that women could be at risk for other HPV-related cancers and diseases?

These include:

  • Vulvar and vaginal cancersb
  • Anal cancerb
  • Certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancersb
  • Genital wartsc


bHPV Types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58.

cHPV Types 6 and 11.


GARDASIL 9 only helps protect against certain cancers caused by these types of HPV. HPV is not the only cause of these cancers.

Women through age 45 may be able to receive GARDASIL 9 to help protect against certain HPV-related cancers.

About GARDASIL 9

Frequently asked questions

Is the same vaccine given to men and women?

Yes. GARDASIL 9 can be given to appropriate girls and women who are ages 9 to 45, as well as boys and men who are ages 9 to 45.

For more information on GARDASIL 9, talk to your doctor or find a pharmacist.

Explore FAQs

After receiving the HPV vaccine, will I still need to get Pap tests?

Yes, women should continue to receive a PAP test as part of routine cervical cancer screening. Cervical cancer screening will continue to help play a key role in protecting your health since GARDASIL 9 does not protect against all HPV-related cervical cancers.

GARDASIL 9 does not remove the need for screening for cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, and certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers as recommended by a health care professional.

HPV is not the only cause of these cancers.

For more information on GARDASIL 9, talk to your doctor or find a pharmacist.

Related: Is there a way to screen for HPV?

Explore FAQs

See more FAQs

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About GARDASIL 9

About GARDASIL 9

How to talk to your doctor or pharmacist

How to talk to your doctor or pharmacist

Safety and side effects

Safety and side effects

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Site intended for US residents 18+ only. Please contact the pharmacy to determine vaccine availability and pharmacy’s ability to administer vaccine in your particular situation. You may also want to discuss your insurance information in advance to verify coverage. The information provided here is not intended to replace medical advice from a health care practitioner. Inclusion of a pharmacy is not a representation or guarantee that you will have insurance coverage for the product when administered at pharmacy. The choice of pharmacy also may affect your out-of-pocket costs. You should confirm your insurance coverage for GARDASIL 9 and its administration prior to vaccination.

These are not all the locations that may administer GARDASIL 9. If a location you are looking for is not listed, please contact the location to see if it is administering the vaccine.

The Find a Pharmacy feature is provided for informational purposes only and is based on information provided by pharmacies that have opted in and have agreed to include their information. Merck is not affiliated with any pharmacy and does not support the use of any particular pharmacy. One pharmacy is not preferred over the others. Merck does not make any warranty as to the features and support offered by any particular pharmacy. The inclusion of a pharmacy is not an endorsement of the location, nor is Merck making a representation or guarantee about the qualifications, competence, or skills of the vaccine providers.

What is GARDASIL®9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant)?

GARDASIL 9 helps protect individuals ages 9 to 45 against the following diseases caused by 9 types of HPV: cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in females, anal cancer, certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers and genital warts in both males and females.

 

GARDASIL 9 may not fully protect everyone, nor will it protect against diseases caused by other HPV types or against diseases not caused by HPV. GARDASIL 9 does not prevent all types of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal or head and neck cancers. Vaccination does not remove the need for recommended screenings for these cancers, and itʼs important for women to continue routine cervical cancer screenings. GARDASIL 9 does not treat cancer or genital warts.

 

GARDASIL 9 is a shot that is usually given in the arm muscle. GARDASIL 9 may be given as 2 or 3 shots.

  • For persons 9 through 14 years of age, GARDASIL 9 can be given using a 2-dose or 3-dose schedule. For the 2-dose schedule, the second shot should be given 6–12 months after the first shot. If the second shot is given less than 5 months after the first shot, a third shot should be given at least 4 months after the second shot. For the 3-dose schedule, the second shot should be given 2 months after the first shot and the third shot should be given 6 months after the first shot.
  • For persons 15 through 45 years of age, GARDASIL 9 is given using a 3-dose schedule; the second shot should be given 2 months after the first shot and the third shot should be given 6 months after the first shot.

The appropriate dosing schedule will be determined by your health care professional.

Important Safety Information

Anyone who is allergic to the ingredients of GARDASIL 9 or GARDASIL® [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant], including those severely allergic to yeast, should not receive the vaccine. GARDASIL 9 was not studied in women who knew they were pregnant.

 

The side effects include pain, swelling, redness, itching, bruising, bleeding, and a lump where you got the shot, headache, fever, nausea, and dizziness. Fainting can happen after getting GARDASIL 9. Sometimes people who faint can fall and hurt themselves. For this reason, your health care professional may ask you to sit or lie down for 15 minutes after you get GARDASIL 9. Some people who faint might shake or become stiff.

 

Only a doctor or health care professional can decide if GARDASIL 9 is right for you.

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

 

Please read the Patient Information for GARDASIL 9, and discuss it with your doctor. The physician Prescribing Information also is available.

What is GARDASIL®9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant)?

GARDASIL 9 helps protect individuals ages 9 to 45 against the following diseases caused by 9 types of HPV: cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in females, anal cancer, certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers and genital warts in both males and females.

 

GARDASIL 9 may not fully protect everyone, nor will it protect against diseases caused by other HPV types or against diseases not caused by HPV. GARDASIL 9 does not prevent all types of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal or head and neck cancers. Vaccination does not remove the need for recommended screenings for these cancers, and itʼs important for women to continue routine cervical cancer screenings. GARDASIL 9 does not treat cancer or genital warts.

 

GARDASIL 9 is a shot that is usually given in the arm muscle. GARDASIL 9 may be given as 2 or 3 shots.

  • For persons 9 through 14 years of age, GARDASIL 9 can be given using a 2-dose or 3-dose schedule. For the 2-dose schedule, the second shot should be given 6–12 months after the first shot. If the second shot is given less than 5 months after the first shot, a third shot should be given at least 4 months after the second shot. For the 3-dose schedule, the second shot should be given 2 months after the first shot and the third shot should be given 6 months after the first shot.
  • For persons 15 through 45 years of age, GARDASIL 9 is given using a 3-dose schedule; the second shot should be given 2 months after the first shot and the third shot should be given 6 months after the first shot.

The appropriate dosing schedule will be determined by your health care professional.

GARDASIL 9 helps protect individuals ages 9 to 45 against the following diseases caused by 9
types of HPV: cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in females, anal cancer,

GARDASIL 9 helps protect individuals ages 9 to 45 against the following diseases caused by 9 types of HPV: cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in females, anal cancer, certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers and genital warts in both males and females.

Important Safety Information for GARDASIL®9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant)

Anyone who is allergic to the ingredients of GARDASIL 9 or GARDASIL® [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant], including those severely allergic to yeast, should not receive the vaccine. GARDASIL 9 was not studied in women who knew they were pregnant.

 

The side effects include pain, swelling, redness, itching, bruising, bleeding, and a lump where you got the shot, headache, fever, nausea, and dizziness. Fainting can happen after getting GARDASIL 9. Sometimes people who faint can fall and hurt themselves. For this reason, your health care professional may ask you to sit or lie down for 15 minutes after you get GARDASIL 9. Some people who faint might shake or become stiff.

 

Only a doctor or health care professional can decide if GARDASIL 9 is right for you.

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

 

Please read the Patient Information for GARDASIL 9, and discuss it with your doctor. The physician Prescribing Information also is available.

Anyone who is allergic to the ingredients of GARDASIL 9 or GARDASIL® [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine,

Anyone who is allergic to the ingredients of GARDASIL 9 or GARDASIL® [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant], including those severely allergic to yeast, should not receive the vaccine. GARDASIL 9 was not studied in women who knew they were pregnant.

 

The side effects include pain, swelling, redness, itching, bruising, bleeding, and a lump where you got the shot, headache, fever, nausea, and dizziness. Fainting can happen after getting GARDASIL 9.