Why should my child get the HPV vaccine?

GARDASIL 9 is FDA approved to start as early as age 9

Start the GARDASIL 9 series and help protect your child against certain HPV-related cancers later in life.

Talk to your child’s doctor today about the appropriate age to start HPV vaccination.

HPV, human papillomavirus.

Reasons to vaccinate:

HPV vaccination is a type of cancer prevention

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

    aBased on CDC data.
  • 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.

GARDASIL 9 is FDA approved and the CDC recommends it for certain age groups

  • The CDC notes that HPV vaccination for males and females may begin at age 9, and recommends it routinely for the 11- to 12-year-old age group.
  • GARDASIL 9 is the only vaccine that helps protect your son or daughter against certain cancers and diseases caused by 9 types of HPV (human papillomavirus) that may develop later in life.

Talk to your child’s doctor today about the appropriate age to start HPV vaccination.

Some questions parents may have about GARDASIL 9

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 HIV or cancer
  • 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 health care professional will help decide if your child should get the vaccine.

Explore FAQs

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.

Explore FAQs

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Explore related topics

Talk to your child’s doctor about the HPV vaccine

Talk to your child’s doctor about the HPV vaccine

About GARDASIL 9

About GARDASIL 9

About HPV-related cancers

About HPV-related cancers

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