Frequently asked questions
Have more questions about how GARDASIL 9 can help protect your child from certain HPV-related cancers? Scroll through the list of common FAQs for answers, or ask your child’s doctor at their next visit.
Frequently asked questions about GARDASIL 9
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.
Can my child get GARDASIL 9 with other vaccines?
Yes. Your child may get GARDASIL 9 at the same time as:
- Menactra [Meningococcal (Groups A, C, Y and W-135) Polysaccharide Diphtheria Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine]a
- Adacel [Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed (Tdap)]a
Studies show that when GARDASIL 9 was given at the same time as Menactra and Adacel, there was more swelling in the location of the shot.
aMenactra [Meningococcal (Groups A, C, Y and W-135) Polysaccharide Diphtheria Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine] and Adacel [Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed (Tdap)] are the trademarks of their respective owners and are not trademarks of Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC.
I’ve heard girls should be vaccinated. Why boys, too?
HPV can also affect males later in life with certain HPV-related cancers, including certain head and neck cancers such as throat and back of mouth cancers, and anal cancer.
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.
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.
Not all head and neck cancers and anal cancers are caused by HPV.
What are the ingredients of GARDASIL 9?
The ingredients are proteins of HPV Types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58, amorphous aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate, yeast protein, sodium chloride, L-histidine, polysorbate 80, sodium borate, and water.
For more information on GARDASIL 9, talk to your child’s doctor.
Is the same vaccine given to both boys and girls?
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 child’s doctor.
After receiving the HPV vaccine, will my daughter still need to get Pap tests in the future?
Yes, women should receive a Pap test as a part of routine cervical cancer screening. Cervical cancer screening will play a key role in protecting your daughter’s future health.
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.
For more information on GARDASIL 9, talk to your child’s doctor.
Can my child get HPV or any diseases caused by HPV from GARDASIL 9?
People cannot get HPV or any of these diseases from GARDASIL 9.
For more information on GARDASIL 9, talk to your child’s doctor.
What should I tell my child’s doctor before my child receives GARDASIL 9?
Tell your child’s doctor if your child:
- Is pregnant or planning to get pregnant
- Has immune problems, like an HIV infection, cancer, or if your child takes medicines that affect the immune system
- Has 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]
- Takes any medicines, even those you can buy over the counter
Your child’s doctor will help decide if your child should get the GARDASIL 9 vaccine.
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 your child 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 child’s doctor may ask your child to sit or lie down for 15 minutes after your child gets 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 getting GARDASIL 9.
You should contact your child’s health care professional right away if your child has any symptoms that bother them.
For more information on GARDASIL 9, talk to your child’s doctor.
What if my child misses a dose of GARDASIL 9?
Make sure your child gets all doses recommended by their doctor for the best protection. If your child misses a dose, tell their doctor, who will decide when to give the missed dose.
Frequently asked questions about HPV
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.
Related: About HPV-related cancers
What is the link between HPV and certain cancers in males?
Males may develop 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 later in life.
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.
Not all throat and back of throat cancers are caused by HPV.
Related: I’ve heard girls should be vaccinated. Why boys, too?
How could my child get HPV?
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 or other HPV-related diseases.
Is there a treatment for HPV?
There is no treatment for HPV itself. However, there are treatments for cancers and diseases caused by HPV. GARDASIL 9 does not treat HPV infection or HPV-related cancers and diseases.
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.
For more information on GARDASIL 9, talk to your child’s doctor.
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.
Your child should not get GARDASIL 9 if they 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]
- Amorphous aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate
- Polysorbate 80
For more information about whether your child should receive GARDASIL 9, talk to your child’s doctor.
What HPV-related cancers and diseases can affect girls?
Girls 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 later in life.
In the United States, the most common HPV-related cancer in women is cervical cancer.a
aBased on 2015-2019 CDC data.
Not all of these cancers are caused by HPV.
For most people, HPV clears on its own. But for those who don’t clear the virus, it can cause certain cancers and diseases.