Frequently asked questions
Learn more about GARDASIL 9 and certain HPV-related cancers and diseases.
Questions about GARDASIL 9 for adults
What cancers and diseases does GARDASIL 9 help protect against?
GARDASIL 9 helps protect against certain cancers and diseases caused by 9 types of HPV:
- Cervical cancer in women
- Vulvar and vaginal cancers in women
- Anal cancer in men and women
- Certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers, in men and women
- Genital warts in men and women
These diseases may have many causes, including HPV Types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58.
GARDASIL 9 only helps protect against certain cancers caused by these types of HPV. HPV is not the only cause of these cancers.
For most people, HPV clears on its own. But for those who don’t clear the virus, HPV can lead to certain cancers.
Related: About GARDASIL 9
Who can receive the HPV vaccine?
GARDASIL 9 can be given to appropriate girls and women, and boys and men who are 9 through 45 years of age.
Do not get GARDASIL 9 if you have had an allergic reaction to:
- A previous dose of GARDASIL 9
- A previous dose of GARDASIL® [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant]
- Yeast (severe allergic reaction)
- Amorphous aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate
- Polysorbate 80
For more information about whether you should receive GARDASIL 9, talk to your health care provider.
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.
Is there an age limit for the HPV vaccine?
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.
Can GARDASIL 9 cause HPV?
People cannot get HPV or any diseases from GARDASIL 9.
For more information on GARDASIL 9, talk to your doctor or find a pharmacist.
Can I get GARDASIL 9 if I already have HPV?
It’s important to know that GARDASIL 9 does not treat HPV infection. However, even if you’ve been infected with one type of HPV you can still be infected with another type of the virus. GARDASIL 9 can help protect you from certain HPV-related cancers and diseases caused by the HPV types (Types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58) you haven’t been exposed to yet.
HPV is not the only cause of these cancers.
For more information on GARDASIL 9, talk to your doctor or find a pharmacist.
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?
Who should not get GARDASIL 9?
Anyone with an allergic reaction to:
- A previous dose of GARDASIL 9
- A previous dose of GARDASIL® [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant]
- Yeast (severe allergic reaction)
- Amorphous aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate
- Polysorbate 80
For more information about whether you should receive GARDASIL 9, talk to your health care provider.
What should I tell my health care professional before getting GARDASIL 9?
Tell your health care professional if you:
- Are pregnant or planning to get pregnant.
- Have immune problems, like HIV or cancer.
- Take medicines that affect the immune system.
- Have a fever over 100°F (37.8°C).
- Might have had an allergic reaction to a previous dose of GARDASIL 9 or GARDASIL® [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant].
- Take any medicines, even those you can buy over the counter.
Your health care professional will help decide if you should get the vaccine.
Can I get GARDASIL 9 if I’ve already gotten GARDASIL® [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant]?
If you’ve already gotten GARDASIL® [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant], talk to your doctor or health care professional to see if GARDASIL 9 is right for you.
What are the most common side effects of GARDASIL 9?
The most common side effects include:
- Pain, swelling, redness, itching, bruising, bleeding, and a lump where you got the shot
- Headache
- Fever
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Sore throat
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.
Women who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant should talk to their health care provider before they get GARDASIL 9.
You should contact your health care professional right away if you get any symptoms that bother you.
For more information on GARDASIL 9, talk to your doctor or find a pharmacist.
Can men get GARDASIL 9?
Yes. GARDASIL 9 can be given to appropriate men and women through age 45.
For more information on GARDASIL 9, talk to your doctor or find a pharmacist.
What should I do if I didn’t complete the HPV vaccination series?
If you didn’t complete the HPV vaccination series as an adolescent, teen, or adult, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Where can I get the HPV vaccine?
GARDASIL 9 may be available through your doctor or pharmacist.
Does my insurance cover GARDASIL 9?
GARDASIL 9 is covered by many private insurance plans. Contact your private insurance plan directly so that you have the most accurate coverage information. If your insurance needs a code for the vaccine, the CPTa code is: 90651.
You can also go to a pharmacy, present your pharmacy benefit and your medical benefit cards, and ask the pharmacist to check your coverage.
aCPT=Current Procedural Terminology. CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.
For more information, visit the Understanding your insurance coverage page.
Questions about HPV-related cancers and diseases
What is the link between HPV and cervical cancer?
Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by certain types of HPV, although HPV is not the only cause of cervical cancer.
For most people, HPV clears on its own. But for those who don’t clear the virus, it can cause certain cancers and diseases.
GARDASIL 9 only helps protect against certain types of cervical cancer covered by the vaccine to which you haven’t been exposed.
Related: About HPV-related cancers
Can HPV-related cancers and diseases affect men too?
Men may be at risk for certain HPV-related cancers and diseases including head and neck cancers, such as certain throat and back of mouth cancers as well as anal cancer and genital warts.
For most people, HPV clears on its own. But for those who don’t clear the virus, it can cause certain cancers and diseases.
In the United States, certain throat and back of mouth cancers are now the most common HPV-related cancers in men. While both men and women can develop these cancers, they affect men more often.b
bBased on 2015-2019 CDC data.
HPV is not the only cause of these cancers.
Related: Why should men get vaccinated?
Can HPV-related cancers and diseases affect women too?
Women may be at risk for certain HPV-related cancers and diseases including cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, and head and neck cancers such as certain throat and back of mouth cancers as well as genital warts.
In the United States, the most common HPV-related cancer in women is cervical cancer.c
cBased on 2015-2019 CDC data.
HPV is not the only cause of these 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.
Related: Why should women get vaccinated?
What is the most common cancer caused by HPV in the United States?
In the United States, certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers, were the most common cancers cause by HPV in men.d
In women, cervical cancer was the most common cancer caused by HPV.d
dBased on 2015-2019 CDC data.
For most people, HPV clears on its own. But for those who don’t clear the virus, it can cause certain cancers and diseases.
HPV is not the only cause of these cancers.
Related: About HPV-related cancers
What is the link between HPV and genital warts?
Two types of HPV (6 and 11) can cause most cases of genital warts. People can get genital warts after having any kind of skin-to-skin genital contact with someone who has HPV. HPV often has no signs or symptoms, so people may unknowingly pass the virus on through any type of sexual activity.
GARDASIL 9 only helps protect against genital warts caused by HPV Types 6 and 11.
For most people, HPV clears on its own.
Related: About HPV-related cancers
Is there a way to screen for HPV?
Women should get routine cervical cancer screenings. The HPV test can be done by itself or at the same time as the Pap test.
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; women should still get routine cervical cancer screenings.
For more information, talk to your health care provider.
Get more info
About HPV-related cancers
About GARDASIL 9
How to talk to your doctor or pharmacist
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