About HPV-related cancers

Vaccinating your child with GARDASIL 9 can help protect them from certain HPV-related cancers later in life

HPV-related cancers can affect males and females. In the United States, certain throat and back of mouth cancers are now the most common HPV-related cancers in men. For women, certain types of cervical cancer are the most common HPV-related cancers.a

aNot all cervical and throat and back of mouth cancers are caused by HPV.
HPV, human papillomavirus.

HPV is a common virus that both males and females can get.

HPV can be passed through more than just intercourse. All that may be needed is skin-to-skin contact with an area of the body infected with HPV. Anyone who has the virus could pass it on without knowing.

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

There is no way to know which people who have HPV will develop cancer.

Tens of thousands of people in the United States were diagnosed with certain HPV-related cancers each year from 2015-2019.b

bBased on CDC data.

Talk with your child’s doctor about starting the GARDASIL 9 series to help protect your child against certain HPV-related cancers later in life.

What is the HPV vaccine?

GARDASIL 9 can help protect against certain types of HPV-related cancers and diseases:

Cancer/DiseaseWomenMen
Cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancersc✓
Anal cancerc✓✓
Certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancersc✓✓
Genital wartsd✓✓
cHPV Types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58.
dHPV 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.

Help protect your son or daughter. Ask their doctor about GARDASIL 9 at their next wellness visit.

Some questions parents may have

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 later in life.

GARDASIL 9 only helps protect against certain types of cervical cancer covered by the vaccine.

Explore FAQs

When can my child start the HPV vaccination series?

GARDASIL 9 is approved to start at age 9. The CDC notes that HPV vaccination may begin at age 9, and recommends it routinely for the 11- to 12-year-old age group. Talk to your child’s doctor about when to start GARDASIL 9.

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Why should my child get vaccinated?

Why should my child get vaccinated?

About GARDASIL 9

About GARDASIL 9

Safety and side effects

Safety and side effects

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 cancer screenings, and it’s important to get routine cervical cancer screenings. GARDASIL 9 does not
treat HPV infection, 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 a health care professional.

Important Safety Information

Anyone with an allergic reaction 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.

 

Fainting can happen after getting GARDASIL 9. Sometimes people who faint can fall and hurt themselves. For this reason, the health care professional may ask the person getting GARDASIL 9 to sit or lie down for 15 minutes after getting the vaccine. Some people who faint might shake or become stiff.

 

The side effects include pain, swelling, redness, itching, bruising, bleeding, and a lump where you got the shot; headache; fever; nausea; and dizziness.

 

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

 

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 or your child’s 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 cancer screenings, and it’s important to get routine cervical cancer screenings. GARDASIL 9 does not
treat HPV infection, 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 a 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 with an allergic reaction 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.

 

Fainting can happen after getting GARDASIL 9. Sometimes people who faint can fall and hurt themselves. For this reason, the health care professional may ask the person getting GARDASIL 9 to sit or lie down for 15 minutes after getting the vaccine. Some people who faint might shake or become stiff.

 

The side effects include pain, swelling, redness, itching, bruising, bleeding, and a lump where you got the shot; headache; fever; nausea; and dizziness.

 

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

 

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 or your child’s doctor. The physician Prescribing Information also is available.

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

Anyone with an allergic reaction 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.

 

Fainting can happen after getting GARDASIL 9. Sometimes people who faint can fall and hurt themselves. For this reason, the health care professional may ask the person getting GARDASIL 9