GARDASIL

As a parent, you know that nothing is more important than the safety of your child and protecting him or her from illness or injury. You make sure your child buckles up in the car. You get the right gear to protect him or her from sports injuries. You take your child to the doctor for regular checkups. But what about helping to protect your child’s future from the consequences of human papillomavirus (HPV)?

What is HPV?

HPV is a widespread virus that, in the United States, will infect an estimated 75% to 80% of males and females in their lifetime. For most, HPV clears on its own. But, for others who don’t clear certain types, HPV could cause significant consequences: cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in females. Other types could cause genital warts in both males and females. And there’s no way to predict who will or won’t clear the virus.

Who gets it?

When it comes to HPV, girls are only half the equation. HPV can affect both males and females. Exposure can happen with any kind of adolescent experimentation that involves genital contact with someone who has HPV—intercourse isn't necessary.

HPV often has no signs or symptoms, so it can be hard to detect. That means HPV transmission can happen without anyone knowing it.

What’s the impact on my son or daughter?

There are 4 types of HPV that cause the most HPV diseases in males and females. HPV Types 16 and 18 can lead to certain cancers in women. And HPV Types 6 and 11 can cause genital warts. Each day in the United States, 30 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer (about 11,000 women per year) and it is estimated that each minute there is a new case of genital warts in men and women.

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INFORMATION ABOUT GARDASIL

GARDASIL is the only 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 about 75% of cervical cancer cases, and 2 more types that cause 90% of genital warts cases. In boys and young men ages 9 to 26, GARDASIL helps protect against 90% of genital warts cases.

GARDASIL also helps protect girls and young women ages 9 to 26 against 70% of vaginal cancer cases and up to 50% of vulvar cancer 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.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

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 health care professional may ask you to sit or lie down for 15 minutes after you get GARDASIL. Some people who faint might shake or become stiff. This may require evaluation or treatment by your health care professional.

Only a doctor or health care professional can decide if GARDASIL is right for you or your child.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch By clicking on this link, you will be leaving this siteThis link will take you to a site outside of Merck & Co., Inc. Merck does not review or control the content of any non-Merck site. Merck does not endorse and is not responsible for the accuracy, content, practices, or standards of any non-Merck site.
Proceed or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Patient Product Information or the Prescribing Information for GARDASIL.