When it comes to HPV vaccination, females are only half the story. Males can get vaccinated too. Like other vaccines, GARDASIL works to help prevent illness. GARDASIL helps prevent HPV-related cancer and diseases caused by HPV Types 6, 11, 16, and 18. The time to vaccinate is before there is any exposure to these HPV types.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine vaccination with GARDASIL for boys and girls ages 11 or 12. The CDC also recommends vaccination for young women ages 13 through 26 and young men ages 13 through 21 who have not already been vaccinated. The CDC states that GARDASIL can be given to young men ages 22 through 26, if they and their doctor decide it’s right for them.
Additional organizations that support the CDC recommendations for HPV vaccination:
*ACS and ACOG support is specific to females
It’s not too early. You have the chance to help protect your child before he or she is exposed to HPV.
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GARDASIL is a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine that helps protect against 4 types of HPV. In girls and young women ages 9 to 26, GARDASIL helps protect against 2 types of HPV that cause 70% of cervical cancer cases, 70% of vaginal cancer cases, and up to 50% of vulvar cancer cases. In males and females ages 9 to 26, GARDASIL helps protect against about 80% of anal cancer cases and 90% of genital warts cases.
GARDASIL may not fully protect everyone, nor will it protect against diseases caused by other HPV types or against diseases not caused by HPV. GARDASIL does not prevent all types of cervical cancer, so it’s important for women to continue routine cervical cancer screenings. GARDASIL does not treat cancer or genital warts. GARDASIL is given as 3 injections over 6 months.
Anyone who is allergic to the ingredients of GARDASIL, including those severely allergic to yeast, should not receive the vaccine. GARDASIL is not for women who are pregnant.
The side effects include pain, swelling, itching, bruising, and redness at the injection site, headache, fever, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and fainting. Fainting can happen after getting GARDASIL. Sometimes people who faint can fall and hurt themselves. For this reason, your child’s health care professional may ask your child to sit or lie down for 15 minutes after he or she gets GARDASIL. Some people who faint might shake or become stiff. This may require evaluation or treatment by your child’s health care professional.
Only a doctor or health care professional can decide if GARDASIL 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® [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant] and discuss it with your child’s doctor. The physician Prescribing Information also is available.