What Is It?

• The vaccine contains inactivated (not live) proteins from the 4 major types of HPV- Types 6, 11, 16, and 18. Types 16 and 18 account for 70% of cervical cancers while types 6 and 11 account for 90% of genital warts¹. Even with the vaccine, it is important to have routine cervical cancer screenings, since it does not protect against all types of HPV that cause cancer.

Who Should Get It?

• The vaccine is recommended for girls between 11-12 years old. It may be given to girls as early as 9 years of age.

    Why This Age?

• The vaccine is most effective when given before the girl's first sexual contact. This is because the girl has not been exposed to HPV yet.

• The vaccine is also recommended for females between the ages of 13-26 years who were not vaccinated when they were younger.

• When received before the first sexual contact, the vaccine can protect a woman from almost 100% of infection caused by the 4 types that are targeted by the vaccine.

• However, if the girl or woman receives the vaccine after the first sexual contact, they may already be infected with a type of HPV. In this situation, the vaccine will not prevent infection from that type.

How Is It Given?

The vaccine is given in three doses:

• 1^st Dose:         Now

• 2^nd Dose:        2 months after Dose 1

• 3^rd Dose:        6 months after Dose 1

• There are no boosters that are recommended. This vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines.

Who Should Wait?

• Anyone who has ever had an allergic reaction to yeast, any component in the vaccine, or to a previous dose.

• Women who are pregnant should not get the vaccine. Although it appears to be safe for both the mother and baby, the long-term affects are still be studied.

• It is safe for people who are mildly ill, but people who are moderately or severely ill should wait.

Does It Help Everyone?

• It has been shown to be effective in females until the age of 26. Current studies are looking at the vaccine's effectiveness for females up to 45 years old. It can also protect females if they have already been infected with HPV, since most are not infected with all four types the vaccine protects against. It protects against the types the woman has not been previously infected with. The vaccine has not been tested for its effectiveness in males yet. It is expected that these tests will begin in 2009².

Are There Any Negative Reactions or Side Effects?

• Although life-threatening allergic reactions can occur, they are very rare. If a reaction occurs after receiving the HPV vaccine, it will occur within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination. The risks are extremely small.

• There are several mild problems that can occur because of the vaccine:

• Pain, redness, swelling, or itching at the injection site

• Mild to moderate fever

• These symptoms are not long-lasting and go away on their own.

What If A Reaction Occurs?

What To Look For?

• It is necessary to look for any unusual changes (i.e. high fever, behavior changes, etc.)

• Signs of serious allergic reactions may include:

• • Difficulty breathing

  • Hoarseness or wheezing

  • Hives

  • Paleness

  • Weakness

  • Increased heart rate

  • Dizziness

What To Do?

• Contact a doctor immediately

• Record what happened, the date and time it happened, and when the vaccination was given. This can be reported by filing out a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) form.

 

References:

1. Gardasil Information Sheet. Merck & Co., 2006

2. Centers for Disease Control

 

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