Gardasil Vaccine

Gardasil Vaccine is administered by injection to people aged between 9 and 26 years. The injection will be given in two or three doses several months apart. It is given by your doctor or nurse, who will make sure you get the right amount. If you do not have all the doses you need, you will not be fully protected against HPV so make sure you turn up for all your injections.

The most common side effects are headache, fever, nausea, dizziness, and pain or swelling at the injection site. They are usually mild and resolve on their own. Consult your doctor if they bother you or do not go away.

Before having this vaccine, tell your doctor if you have ever fainted with a previous injection or if you have a weak immune system. Ask your doctor if it is safe to have the vaccine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. This vaccine is not an alternative to routine cervical screening. You should still turn up for all scheduled appointments.

Prevention of HPV-associated cancers
Prevention of Genital warts (Skin bumps on or around the genital or anal area)

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

Gardasil Vaccine is a vaccine which helps to develop immunity by initiating a mild infection. This type of infection does not cause illness, but it stimulates the body’s immune system to produce antibodies to protect against any future infections.

If you missed a dose of Gardasil Vaccine, please consult your doctor.

Gardasil Vaccine helps protect against diseases caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) such as genital warts and certain types of cancer such as cervical cancer.

It does not cure an existing HPV infection. But, it can protect you from other strains of HPV.

If you are 9 to 14 years of age, you will be given a 2 dose schedule (0 and 6 months). If you are 15 years or above, you will be given a 3 dose schedule (0,1, and 6 months).

It is usually given by injection into the muscle of the upper arm.

Remain seated for at least 15 minutes after the injection as it may cause dizziness or fainting.

Inform your doctor if you have a bleeding disorder or if you are taking medicines such as high doses of corticosteroids or immunosuppressants .

It does not protect against every type of HPV. Take precautions against sexually transmitted diseases and follow your doctor’s advice.

It is necessary that you complete the full vaccination course. Even if you forget to take a dose, you can just resume from where you left off. Consult with your doctor if you can resume. 

Q. What is Gardasil Vaccine used for?

Gardasil Vaccine is used in females for the prevention of cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancers caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV). It also prevents pre-cancerous or dysplastic lesions, genital warts and infections caused by HPV in both males and females.

Q. Who should get vaccinated?

Gardasil Vaccine is best given as early as possible in adolescent girls between 11 and 12 years of age. It is also recommended for all teenagers and adults between 13 to 26 years of age who did not get the vaccine when they were younger. Children as young as 9 years old can also receive this when advised by the doctor. The dose and schedule of the vaccine depend on the age of the person. Consult your doctor if you are not sure.

Q. Can I have Gardasil Vaccine if I am not a virgin anymore? And will it still be effective?

Yes, you can still get the vaccine even if you have had sexual intercourse. There are 100 types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Even if you already have one strain of HPV, you can still benefit from the vaccine because it can protect you from other strains that you don’t yet have.

Q. I didn’t get the last dose of the Gardasil Vaccine. Do I need to start over again?

No, you can just continue from where you left off. However, it would be best to consult your doctor before using Gardasil Vaccine again.

Q. Is Pap smear test (a method of cervical screening) still necessary if I have already taken Gardasil Vaccine?

Yes, vaccinated women will still need regular cervical cancer screening as the effect of the vaccine may work against most but not all HPV types that can cause cervical cancer.

Q. How well does Gardasil Vaccine work?

Gardasil Vaccine works extremely well for most of the cases. Clinical trials have shown that these types of vaccines provide close to 100% protection against cervical and vaginal cancer, genital warts and infection caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types.

Q. Does Gardasil Vaccine carry any health risks or side effects?

Overall, Gardasil Vaccine does not have any major side effects. The most common side effects include soreness, swelling or redness at the injection site. Sometimes dizziness or fainting occurs after the injection, sitting for 15 minutes after the injection can reduce the risk of fainting. One may also experience headaches, nausea, vomiting, fatigue or weakness. Consult your doctor if the symptoms bother you for long.

Q. Do I need to worry about HPV if my partner and I always use a condom?

If your partner has an HPV infection (with or without symptoms), you can still get infected with HPV even if you always use the condom. The reason being that a condom cannot provide 100% protection from any sexually transmitted infection. Further more, HPV is mostly transmitted during sexual intercourse, it can also be transmitted due to oral sex or during genital to genital contact.

Q. Can Gardasil Vaccine be given with other vaccines?

Yes, Gardasil Vaccine can be given either simultaneously, before or after any other live or inactivated vaccines. However, each time a different syringe and a different site should be used. Studies have shown that administering this vaccine with other vaccines does not have any effect on the antibody response by the body and does not change its effectiveness. However, it is advised to consult the doctor before using any other vaccine.

Q. Is HPV a live vaccine?

No, Gardasil Vaccine is not a live vaccine. Gardasil Vaccine contains virus-like particles produced from the outer protein covering of virus (capsid) of each HPV type using DNA recombinant technology (creating DNA sequences that would not otherwise be found in the gene pool). Gardasil Vaccines do not have any viral DNA and can neither cause an infection nor a cancer.

Q. How long does the Gardasil Vaccine last for?

Research suggests that Gardasil Vaccine protection is effective for a very long duration. There is no evidence which indicates decrease in protection over time. Some studies have shown that individuals who were vaccinated were protected for about 12 years. Further studies are ongoing to determine the exact duration of protection.

Q. Should girls and women be screened for cervical cancer before getting vaccinated?

No, there is no need to get an HPV test or a pap test to find out if they should get the vaccine. However, women should get screened for cervical cancer, even if they have received all the recommended shots of Gardasil Vaccine. This is because the Gardasil Vaccine does not prevent all types of cancer of the cervix.

Q. How effective is the Gardasil Vaccine?

The Gardasil Vaccine is highly effective in preventing the targeted HPV types. It also protects against the most common health problems caused by them. The vaccine is less effective in preventing HPV-related disease in young women who have already been exposed to one or more types of HPV. This is because the vaccine is only meant for the prevention of HPV related disease, not for the treatment.

Q. How safe is the Gardasil Vaccine?

Gardasil Vaccine is safe and well tolerated among patients. The vaccines usually undergo years of testing before being licensed by the health authorities and remain under continuous monitoring for safety. Side effects with Gardasil Vaccine are mild to moderate in intensity and commonly include pain, swelling and redness at the injection site and headache.

Q. What is the maximum age for Gardasil Vaccine?

The vaccine is recommended to be used in young girls (9-13 years) before they are sexually active, as it is most effective and induces a superior immune response at this age. However, it can be given to women up to 45 years of age. In males, it is recommended to be used at the age of 16-26 years.

Q. What is a quadrivalent vaccine?

Quadrivalent vaccine means that the vaccine protects against 4 types of human papillomavirus. The human papilloma quadrivalent vaccine is effective against diseases caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. It prevents various diseases caused by the virus but does not treat them. The diseases may include pre-cancerous lesions of the female genitals, pre-cancerous lesions of the anus and genital warts in males as well as females, cervical and anal cancers.

In Prevention of HPV-associated cancers

HPV can cause many cancers and pre-cancerous lesions in female genitals and is responsible for the majority of cervical and anal cancers. This vaccine is intended to prevent these and not to treat them. It is normally given between the ages of 9 and 26. The vaccine works by increasing your body’s natural defence (immunity) against the human papillomavirus. It does not protect against all types of HPV – only the types in the vaccine. This vaccine is normally given in two or three doses by injection separated by several months. It will be given by a doctor or nurse. You must make sure you receive all doses in order to be protected. HPV vaccines are considered very safe and the benefits far outweigh the potential health risk.

In Prevention of Genital warts (Skin bumps on or around the genital or anal area)

HPV is also the main cause of genital warts. This vaccine is intended to prevent and not treat it. The vaccine works by increasing your body’s immunity against the human papillomavirus. This vaccine given by a doctor or nurse. You must make sure you receive all doses in order to be protected.HPV vaccines are considered very safe and the benefits far outweigh the potential health risk. This vaccine has been studied in many thousands of people and shown to be highly effective in reducing HPV infections.show moreshow less

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)

Nausea

Dizziness

Fever

Headache

Alcohol:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Gardasil Vaccine. Please consult your doctor.

Pregnancy:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Gardasil Vaccine is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies.

Breast feeding:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Information regarding the use of Gardasil Vaccine during breastfeeding is not available. Please consult your doctor.

Driving:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

It is not known whether Gardasil Vaccine alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react.

Kidney:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Gardasil Vaccine is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Gardasil Vaccine may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.

Liver:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Gardasil Vaccine is probably safe to use in patients with liver disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Gardasil Vaccine may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.

Sinha A, Singh S. Immunization and Immunodeficiency. In: Paul VK, Bagga A, editors. Ghai Essential Pediatrics. 8th ed. New Delhi: CBS Publisher’s & Distributors Pvt Ltd.; 2013. pp. 200-201.

Human Papillomavirus QuadrivalentVaccine. Whitehouse Station, New Jersey: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp; 2006 . Available form: view