Cervical Cancer Vaccine (HPV Vaccine)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is among the most common sexually transmitted infections in the United States, where it infects roughly 6 million people every year.

HPV has been shown to cause several serious conditions in women. It is the leading cause of cervical cancer.

It can also cause serious conditions in men, and transmission to women contributes to the spread of the virus.

Gardasil (the HPV cervical cancer vaccine) does not contain a live virus.

It is administered as 3 doses over a 6-month period. It is considered highly effective against 4 virus types responsible for cervical cancer and genital warts (condyloma).

GARDASIL® 0.5 mL IM Composition and Formulation:

A ready-to-use injection suspension [Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (Type 6, 11, 16, 18) Recombinant Vaccine]

The virus is mimicked using protein. Composition: per 1 dose (0.5 mL);

• HPV Type 6 L1 Protein — 20 micrograms
• HPV Type 11 L1 Protein — 40 micrograms
• HPV Type 16 L1 Protein — 40 micrograms
• HPV Type 18 L1 Protein — 20 micrograms

At what age should the vaccine be given?

The HPV vaccine can be given to women between ages 12 and 30, and can begin as early as age 9 at the earliest.

Why is it recommended at such a young age?

Being vaccinated before the onset of sexual activity, and before exposure to any HPV type, provides the greatest benefit from the vaccine.

Does the vaccine work for women who are already sexually active?

For sexually active women who have not yet been exposed to the virus, the vaccine is just as effective as it would be for a woman with no sexual activity at all.

Research shows that even if you have been exposed to one HPV type, protection against the other 3 types continues.

How Is the HPV Vaccine Administered?

Gardasil should be injected intramuscularly, either into the deltoid muscle of the upper arm or into the upper outer thigh (near the hip).

At our center, we generally administer it in the upper outer thigh area. This is because absorption is faster in the thigh, reducing the chance of arm soreness.

We apply an anesthetic gel to the area before injection and a cooling spray immediately before administering the shot.

This way, patients do not feel any needle pain or discomfort.

Can pregnant women receive the vaccine?

We do not recommend or use the HPV vaccine in pregnant women.

Research on Gardasil's side effects in pregnant women and unborn babies remains insufficient.

Although studies to date have not shown or proven adverse effects in pregnant women or newborns, the available data and research remain insufficient to provide definitive proof.

Our recommendation is to start the vaccine series — or complete any missing doses — after the pregnancy has ended.

For women who received their first dose and later discovered they were pregnant, we recommend continuing the remaining doses after the pregnancy ends.