Alternatives To Gardasil 9
Gardasil 9 is currently the only vaccine approved in the United States to protect againstcertain diseases caused by human papillomavirus .
In the past, another vaccine called Cervarix was used to prevent two types of HPV . There was also an older version of Gardasil that protected against four types of HPV. Both of these vaccines have been discontinued and are unavailable in the United States. This is because Gardasil 9 is very effective, protects against the largest number of types of HPV, and can protect both men and women from HPV-related diseases.
Gardasil 9 And Children
recommends the Gardasil 9 vaccine for children ages 11 or 12 years old. However, the CDC states that some people may benefit from getting the vaccine as early as age 9.
Vaccinating children at a young age helps make sure theyre protected against the types of HPV that Gardasil prevents before they become sexually active.
According to the CDC , HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection. By immunizing your child, theyll be protected from HPV-related changes in the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus, and head and neck tissues. Theyll also be protected from genital warts caused by the types of HPV prevented by the vaccine.
Talk with your childs doctor about their risk for HPV. Together, you can decide when its right to give the vaccine to your child.
Can I Get Gardasil 9 If I Have Hpv
Yes, you can receive the Gardasil 9 vaccine series even if you have HPV. There are more than 100 types of HPV, and Gardasil 9 protects against certain diseases caused bynine types. These nine types are the most common causes of HPV-related cancers or genital warts.
If you have HPV, the vaccine will still help protect you from other types of HPV that you may become exposed to.
You May Like: Does Cvs Offer Tetanus Shots
How Gardasil 9 Is Given
You should get Gardasil 9 according to your doctor or healthcare professionals instructions.
The Gardasil 9 vaccine is given by your doctor or pharmacist as either a two-shot or three-shot series.
Whether you get two or three shots depends on your age, the time between each vaccination, and your doctors recommendation. The vaccine is given as a shot that goes into your muscle, usually in your upper arm.
How Is Gardasil 9 Vaccine Given
Gardasil 9 vaccine is given as an injection into a muscle in your upper arm or thigh. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.
Gardasil 9 vaccine is given in a series of 2 or 3 shots. You may have the first shot at any time as long as you are between the ages of 9 and 45 years. The second dose is given 2 to 6 months after your first shot. A third dose may be given 6 to 12 months after your first shot.
Be sure to receive all recommended doses of this vaccine or you may not be fully protected against disease.
Gardasil 9 vaccine should not be used in place of having a routine pelvic exam, Pap smear, anal, or head and neck exam to screen for cervical, anal, or head and neck cancer.
Recommended Reading: Does Cvs Do Tetanus Shots
Gardasil 9 Vaccine Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Gardasil 9:hives difficulty breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. When you receive a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shot caused any side effects.
You may feel faint after receiving this vaccine. Some people have had seizure like reactions after receiving this vaccine. Your doctor may want you to remain under observation during the first 15 minutes after the injection.
Developing cancer from HPV is much more dangerous to your health than receiving the vaccine to protect against it. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.
Common Gardasil 9 side effects may include:
-
pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was given or
-
headache.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967.
Are There Different Types Of Hpv Vaccines
HPV is a group of more than 200 viruses. About 40 of these are spread through sexual contact. Of these 40, about 12 types can cause certain cancers. There are three safe and effective HPV vaccines available worldwide:
- Gardasil® 9: This is the only vaccine currently being used in the United States. Gardasil 9 protects against nine types of cancer-causing HPV, including high-risk strains. It can prevent up to 90% of cervical cancers.
- Cervarix® and Gardasil®: These two HPV vaccines are used in other countries and treat certain high-risk strains of HPV. They can prevent around 70% of cervical cancer.
Don’t Miss: Can You Get Tdap At Cvs
What Does The 9 Stand For In Gardasil 9
The 9 in Gardasil 9 stands for the nine types of HPV that the vaccine protects against. There are more than 100 types of HPV. However, the nine types that Gardasil 9 protects against are the ones that cause the majority of HPV-related cancers in both males and females.* Gardasil 9 protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the terms male and female in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.
What About Hpv Vaccine Long
The CDC has also investigated whether there is any relationship between the HPV vaccine and a number of long-term conditions, including auto-immune disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain, and premature menopause.
Early on, some scientists raised concerns about an association between the HPV vaccine and Guillain-Barré syndrome, an auto-immune disease which leads to nerve degeneration and neurological complications. However, these cases were rare, on the order of a handful out of tens of millions. Later, multiplelarge-scalestudies found that Guillain-Barré syndrome, which can have a sudden onset, didnt occur in vaccinated people more frequently than in the general public. A paper published in Science Reports suggesting a connection to neurological damage was later retracted due to problems with the study methods. In other words, any apparent association was likely due to random chance.
The story is the same with other long-term conditions. For instance, the CDC received reports of two physician-diagnosed cases of premature menopause in women who had received the HPV vaccine out of 60 million doses administered. Upon further analysis, scientists found that premature menopause happens at a similar rate in unvaccinated people. Again: all signs point to random chance.
So there are no documented long-term side effects from the HPV vaccine, and its unlikely that any are going to pop up now, 15 years after approval of the vaccine.
You May Like: Tdap Shot At Cvs
How Much Does The Hpv Vaccine Cost
Each dose of the vaccine can cost about $250. Luckily, many health insurance companies cover the HPV vaccine. There are also programs that help some people without insurance get the vaccine for low or no cost.
You deserve to be healthy, regardless of whether you have health insurance. Talk with the staff at your local Planned Parenthood health center or another nurse or doctor to get more information about ways to make the vaccine more affordable.
Gardasil 9 For Boys And Men
Gardasil 9 is best known for preventing cervical cancer in females.* However, human papillomavirus , the virus that Gardasil protects against, can also affect males.*
HPV can cause anal and certain head and neck cancers as well as genital warts in males or females.
In males, Gardasil 9 is approved to prevent certain types of anal, head, and neck cancers, and genital warts that can be caused by HPV.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the terms male and female in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.
The Gardasil 9 dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- your age
- other risk factors you may have
The following information describes vaccine schedules that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to get Gardasil 9 as your doctor recommends for you. Your doctor will determine the best time to get the vaccine and the best schedule to fit your needs.
Typically, your doctor or pharmacist will give you the vaccine. They will also tell you when to come back for your next dose or doses. Its important to complete the entire vaccine series to get the most protection from it.
Also Check: Cvs Tetanus
How Do I Report Hpv Vaccine Side Effects
If you have any side effects after having the HPV vaccine, you should tell your doctor or nurse.
You can report any side effects that you think may be linked to the HPV vaccine using the Yellow Card Scheme. This helps us understand more about the vaccine, potential side effects and how to respond to them. You can phone the free Yellow Card hotline on 0808 100 3352 or report side effects online. The scheme is run by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency .
What Are The Hpv Vaccine Ingredients
The HPV vaccine contains no viruses and is not made from human papillomavirus. The active ingredients in the HPV vaccine are proteins that are similar to those found in the human papillomavirus. Genetically modified bacteria produce the proteins, which are then purified and mixed into a sterile, water-based solution.
Read Also: Tdap Booster Cvs
Gardasil 9 For Preventing Genital Warts Caused By Hpv
Gardasil 9 is approved to prevent genital warts caused by HPV.
Effectiveness
For this purpose, clinical studies of the now-discontinued Gardasil vaccine were used to show the effectiveness of Gardasil 9. These studies showed the vaccine provided protection against HPV types 6 and 11.
In clinical trials, Gardasil was 99% effective at preventing genital warts caused by HPV in females ages 16 through 26 years old. In males ages 16 through 26 years old, the vaccine was about 89% effective in preventing genital warts caused by HPV.
In females ages 27 through 45 years old, Gardasil was between 87.7% and 95.0% effective in preventing genital warts caused by HPV.
In males and females ages 9 through 15 years, studies looked at genital wart infections that occurred after vaccination and lasted for at least 1 year. No cases were observed in this age group after vaccination with Gardasil.
In males ages 27 through 45 years, studies looked at whether Gardasil triggered a response from the immune system that was strong enough to protect against genital warts. Gardasil 9 was found to stimulate a strong immune response in this age group.
Why Should My Child Get The Hpv Vaccine
Infection with the human papillomavirus can cause several cancers. HPV infection cant be treated, but a vaccine can help prevent it. The virus is so common, about 8 out of 10 people will get it at some point in their lives. But most infected people dont know theyre infected. We also know most, but not all, HPV infections go away on their own without lasting health problems. But we dont know which infections will turn into cancer.
The HPV vaccine can help protect children against 6 types of cancer later in life:
- Cancers of the cervix, throat, vagina, vulva, and anus in females
- Cancers of the throat, penis, and anus in males
It can also help prevent genital warts.
The best way to prevent HPV infection is to get vaccinated. That is why it is important that all children get vaccinated against HPV.
Read Also: Where To Get Tdap Vaccine Cvs
Who Should Get The Hpv Vaccine
The current recommendations for getting the HPV vaccine are:
- Children and adults ages 9 to 26 years: The HPV vaccination works best when given between the ages of 9 and 12 years old. Getting vaccinated at a young age provides the best protection against HPV cancers. HPV vaccination is recommended for all children and adults through 26 years old who have not been fully vaccinated.
- Adults ages 27 to 45 years: The HPV vaccination is not recommended in adults ages 27 through 45 years. The vaccine is less beneficial to people in this age range because more people have already been exposed to the virus. In some cases, your healthcare provider may recommend getting the vaccine as an adult.
Does The Hpv Vaccine Have Any Long
There is no evidence to suggest that the HPV vaccine has any long-term side effects, it has been proven safe in testing and clinical trials. The NHS states that the benefits outweigh the risks of having the vaccine. In these studies, it was found that the vaccine did not increase the cases of chronic conditions such as ME in those who had been vaccinated versus those who had not.
Don’t Miss: Cvs Pharmacy Tdap
Can I Get Other Vaccines At The Same Time I Get Gardasil 9
Yes, you can get other vaccines at the same time as your Gardasil 9 vaccine. However, you may have a higher risk of swelling at the injection site if you get multiple vaccines at once.
In clinical trials, side effects were similar in people who got the Gardasil 9 vaccine only, and in those who received Gardasil 9 along with Menactra and Adacel .
However, swelling at the injection site was more common in people getting the three vaccines together. Swelling occurred in 14.4% of people who received Menactra, Adacel, and Gardasil 9. This is compared to 9.4% of people who only received Gardasil 9.
What Types Of Hpv Vaccines Are There
Three HPV vaccines9-valent HPV vaccine , quadrivalent HPV vaccine , and bivalent HPV vaccine have been licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration . All three HPV vaccines protect against HPV types 16 and 18 that cause most HPV cancers.
Since late 2016, only Gardasil-9 is distributed in the United States. This vaccine protects against nine HPV types .
You May Like: How Much Does Tdap Cost At Cvs
When Should Adults Get The Hpv Vaccine
The best time to get the HPV vaccine is before you’ve started having sexual activity. That’s why the CDC recommends that both boys and girls get their vaccination at age 11 or 12, although they can get the vaccine as early as age 9. If you’re 13 or older and you haven’t already been vaccinated, you can still get the vaccine.
It is recommended for all people through the age of 26. Some adults ages 27-45 may get the vaccine after talking with their doctor.
How many shots do I need?
The CDC recommends two doses of HPV vaccine at age 11 or 12 years. The second shot should be given 6-12 months after the first.
If you can get all shots prior to age 15, only two are needed. Three doses are needed if you get the first dose on or after your 15th birthday, and for people with weakened immune systems. The second dose should be given 1-2 months after the first dose. And the third dose should be given 6 months after the first dose.
If I already have HPV, will this vaccine treat it?
If you have a current HPV, the vaccine won’t get rid of it. But, if you have one type of HPV, the vaccine may prevent you from getting another type of the virus. There’s really no way to treat the virus once you have it, although there are treatments for diseases caused by HPV such as genital warts and genital cancers. This is why you should have regular pelvic exams and Pap tests to screen for cervical cancer.
Fewer Health Issues After Vaccination
To look at trends in health issues reported after HPV vaccination, the researchers turned to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System , a website operated by CDC and FDA. Patients, caregivers, health care professionals, and vaccine manufacturers can use VAERS to voluntarily report any health problems that occur after vaccination.
From 2015 to 2018, reports of health issues following HPV vaccination went down overall.
Reports of serious health issues after HPV vaccination were consistently rarearound 1.8 per 100,000 HPV vaccine doses, or 0.0018%. A total of 758 serious health problems that arose after HPV vaccination were reported in VAERS during that time. Meanwhile, the rate of nonserious health issues following HPV vaccination reported in VAERS dropped from 43 to 28 per 100,000 vaccine doses.
Just because a health problem is reported in VAERS doesnt mean the vaccine caused it, Dr. Sonawane cautioned. Some health reports were hearsay and lacked sufficient information to be verified, she added.
We have to be cautious about interpreting VAERS data and not make any causeeffect associations, she said. According to CDC and FDA, VAERS data can only be used to find unusual patterns that should be evaluated in additional studies.
Also Check: Does Cvs Offer Tdap Shot
How Cdc Monitors Vaccine Safety
CDC and FDA monitor the safety of vaccines after they are approved or authorized. If a problem is found with a vaccine, CDC and FDA will inform health officials, health care providers, and the public.
CDC uses 3 systems to monitor vaccine safety:
- The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System : an early warning system, co-managed by CDC and FDA, to monitor for potential vaccine safety problems. Anyone can report possible vaccine side effects to VAERS.
- The Vaccine Safety Datalink : a collaboration between CDC and 9 health care organizations that conducts vaccine safety monitoring and research.
- The Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment Project: a partnership between CDC and several medical research centers that provides expert consultation and conducts clinical research on vaccine-associated health risks.