Gardasil (Merck & Co.), also known as Silgard, is a vaccine against certain types
of human papillomavirus (HPV). 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.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections cause nearly all cases of cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is the fifth leading cause of death from cancer in women world-
wide, and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the
majority of developing countries.
Gardasil is only effective in preventing HPV infections, not in treating those
already infected by HPV, and so the vaccine must be given before HPV infection
occurs in order to be effective. For this reason it is recommended to administer
the vaccine before adolescence and the onset of sexual activity.
Gardasil is given in three injections over six months. The second injection is two
months after the first, and the third injection is four months after the second shot
is administered.
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. Gardasil does not treat cervical cancer or genital warts.
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.
The side effects include pain, swelling, itching, bruising, and redness at the
injection site, headache, fever, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and fainting. Gardasil
is given as 3 injections over 6 months.
Only a doctor or health care professional can decide if Gardasil is right for you or
your daughter.
According to the American Centers for Disease Control, getting as many girls
vaccinated as early and as quickly as possible will reduce the cases of cervical
cancer among middle-aged women in 30 to 40 years and reduce the transmission
of this highly communicable disease.
The FDA and CDC consider the vaccine to be safe. The National Cancer Institute
says, "FDA-approved Gardasil prevented nearly 100 percent of the
precancerous cervical cell changes caused by the types of HPV targeted by the
vaccine for up to 4 years after vaccination." The vaccine is believed to be
effective for longer, but for how long, and whether a booster shot will be needed
is still being studied.
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Although at least 20 women who received the Gardasil vaccine have died, there
is no evidence that deaths or serious outcomes were connected to the shot
(Rosenthal, Elisabeth, 2008).
One unknown property of the vaccines now being researched is the persistence
of their protective effects. Since the vaccine has only been administered for
several years now, it is unknown whether they will provide life-long immunity to
recipients. In coming decades, further study will answer this question.
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