GARDASIL

It’s really common to still have questions about GARDASIL. Click on the questions below to get any information on GARDASIL you’re still looking for.

You can also get more information on GARDASIL from your doctor or healthcare professional. In addition, read the Patient Product Information or the Prescribing Information for GARDASIL.

1. How safe is GARDASIL?

2. What are the side effects of GARDASIL?

3. Could I get HPV or any disease caused by HPV from GARDASIL?

4. Have any medical organizations recommended HPV vaccination?

5. How effective is GARDASIL if it only protects against 4 types of HPV?

6. If I’m already sexually active, is it too late for me to get vaccinated?

7. I have daughters aged 11 and 12. Aren’t they too young to be vaccinated with GARDASIL?

8. What if I can’t afford GARDASIL?

9. Do I need to get all 3 doses of GARDASIL from the same doctor?

10. What if I’m late getting my second or third dose of GARDASIL?

11. If I get vaccinated, do I still need to get Pap tests?

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How safe is GARDASIL?

It's no surprise that you want to know more about the safety of GARDASIL before being vaccinated. The safety of a vaccine is an important part of its story.

The common side effects include pain, swelling, itching, bruising, and redness at the injection site, headache, fever, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and fainting. Sometimes fainting has been accompanied by falling with injury, as well as shaking or stiffening and other seizure-like activity. This may require evaluation or treatment by your doctor or health care professional.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have reviewed all the safety information available to them. Based on data available to them as of May 2009, the CDC and FDA determined that GARDASIL continues to be safe and effective, and its benefits continue to outweigh its risks. In August 2009, the CDC reaffirmed its continued recommendation for vaccination with GARDASIL.

For more information on GARDASIL, talk to your doctor or healthcare professional.

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What are the side effects of GARDASIL?

As with all vaccines, there may be some side effects with GARDASIL. GARDASIL has been shown to be generally well tolerated in women and girls as young as 9 years of age. The most commonly reported side effects include:

• pain, swelling, itching, bruising, and redness at the injection site
• headache
• fever
• nausea
• dizziness
• vomiting
• fainting

Sometimes fainting is accompanied by falling with injury, as well as shaking or stiffening and other seizure-like activity.

Tell your health care professional if you have any of the following problems because these may be signs of an allergic reaction:

• difficulty breathing
• wheezing (bronchospasm)
• hives
• rash

Tell your health care professional if you have:

• swollen glands (neck, armpit, or groin)
• joint pain
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• generally feeling unwell
• leg pain
• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• aching muscles
• muscle weakness
• seizure
• bad stomach ache

Contact your health care professional right away if you get any symptoms that concern you, even several months after getting the vaccine.

The safety of the vaccine is something that is being followed on an ongoing basis.

For a complete list of GARDASIL side effects, ask your doctor or health care professional.

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Could I get HPV or any disease caused by HPV from GARDASIL?

No. You cannot get HPV or any disease caused by HPV from GARDASIL. That's because there is no live virus in the vaccine.

Instead, GARDASIL contains a protein that helps the body's immune system produce antibodies against HPV—without causing an infection.

For more information on GARDASIL, talk to your doctor or healthcare professional.

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Have any medical organizations recommended HPV vaccination?

Yes, a number of national organizations have recommended HPV vaccination. They include:

• American Academy of Pediatrics
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• American Academy of Family Physicians
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

For more information on GARDASIL, talk to your doctor or healthcare professional.

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How effective is GARDASIL if it only protects against 4 types of HPV?

GARDASIL is the only cervical cancer vaccine that helps protect against 4 types of HPV, including 2 types (16 and 18) that cause 70% of cervical cancer cases and 2 more types (6 and 11) that cause 90% of genital warts cases.

There are more than 30 genital HPV types and about 6 million new cases of genital HPV in the United States each year. HPV Types 6, 11, 16, and 18 cause the most HPV-related diseases.

GARDASIL may not fully protect everyone, and does not prevent all types of cervical cancer, so it's important to continue routine cervical cancer screenings. GARDASIL will not protect against diseases caused by other HPV types or against diseases not caused by HPV.

For more information on GARDASIL, talk to your doctor or healthcare professional.

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If I’m already sexually active, is it too late for me to get vaccinated?

No, it's not. Only your doctor or healthcare professional can tell you if GARDASIL is right for you. But, if you're already sexually active, you may still benefit from GARDASIL. That's because even if you have been exposed to HPV, it's unlikely that you have been exposed to all 4 types of the virus covered by GARDASIL.

Getting vaccinated now could help guard you against HPV Types 6, 11, 16, and 18 if you are exposed to them in the future.

For more information on GARDASIL, talk to your doctor or healthcare professional.

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I have daughters aged 11 and 12. Aren’t they too young to be vaccinated with GARDASIL?

GARDASIL works best when given before there is any contact with HPV Types 6, 11, 16, and 18.

Like other vaccines, GARDASIL works to help prevent illness. That’s why it’s recommended that girls 11 to 12 years of age get vaccinated. HPV vaccination is a part of the recommended vaccination schedule defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For more information on GARDASIL, talk to your doctor or healthcare professional.

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What if I can’t afford GARDASIL?

Merck has created a vaccine patient assistance program for its line of vaccines for use in adults, including GARDASIL. Through this program, Merck provides free vaccines to adults who are 19 and older who are uninsured or unable to afford vaccines.

Additional information regarding the Merck Vaccine Patient Assistance Program can be found at http://www.merck.com/merckhelps/vaccines/home.html.

GARDASIL is also part of the Vaccines for Children program, a federal program that helps to provide free vaccines to children and adolescents 18 years and younger who are either Medicaid eligible, American Indian or Alaskan Native, or uninsured, or whose health insurance does not cover shots.

Additional information regarding the Vaccines for Children program can be found at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfcBy 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.

For more information on GARDASIL, talk to your doctor or healthcare professional.

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Do I need to get all 3 doses of GARDASIL from the same doctor?

You don't need to get all 3 doses of GARDASIL from the same doctor. But you do need to follow the vaccination schedule to get the full benefits of GARDASIL.

If you know you'll be at college or somewhere else when it's time for your next dose of GARDASIL, that's fine. But think about setting up an appointment now—it will save you from worrying about it later. Plus, you can make sure that your doctor has GARDASIL in stock.

If you think e-mail and mail reminders will help you get your next 2 doses on time, we can help.

For more information on GARDASIL, talk to your doctor or healthcare professional.

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What if I’m late getting my second or third dose of GARDASIL?

Ideally, your vaccination schedule should be:

First dose: at a date you and your doctor or healthcare professional choose.
Second dose: 2 months after the first dose.
Third dose: 6 months after the first dose.

If you're a few days late getting your second or third dose of GARDASIL, don't panic. If you miss a dose, your doctor or healthcare professional will decide when to give the missed dose.

One way to make sure you're on time for your second and third doses is to make your follow-up appointments before you even leave your doctor's office. If you think e-mail or mail reminders will help you get your next 2 doses on time, we can help.

For more information on GARDASIL, talk to your doctor or healthcare professional.

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If I get vaccinated, do I still need to get Pap tests?

Yes. Vaccination with GARDASIL does not take the place of Pap tests (cervical cancer screenings). You should always follow your doctor or healthcare professional's advice on getting Pap tests.

Pap tests have been proven to help save lives. A Pap test looks for abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix before they have the chance to become precancers or cervical cancer.

And since GARDASIL does not protect against all types of HPV, Pap tests will still be an important part of taking control of your health—and taking care of yourself.

For more information on GARDASIL, talk to your doctor or healthcare professional.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GARDASIL

GARDASIL is the only cervical cancer vaccine that helps protect against 4 types of human papillomavirus (HPV): 2 types that cause 70% of cervical cancer cases, and 2 more types that cause 90% of genital warts cases. GARDASIL is for girls and young women ages 9 to 26.

GARDASIL may not fully protect everyone, and does not prevent all types of cervical cancer, so it’s important to continue routine cervical cancer screenings. GARDASIL does not treat cervical cancer or genital warts. GARDASIL will not protect against diseases caused by other HPV types or against diseases not caused by HPV. GARDASIL is given as 3 injections over 6 months.

SELECT 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. Sometimes fainting is accompanied by falling with injury, as well as shaking or stiffening and other seizure-like activity. Only a doctor or health care professional can decide if GARDASIL is right for you or your daughter.

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.

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