What Is the HPV Vaccine?

The HPV vaccine protects against the strains of human papillomavirus that cause most HPV-related cancers and genital warts.

Vaccine Details

• Gardasil 9 protects against 9 HPV strains (types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58)
• Prevents cervical, anal, oropharyngeal, vulvar, and vaginal cancers
• Prevents genital warts
• Over 90% effective

Who Should Get It

• Recommended: age 11–12 (before sexual exposure)
• Approved: up to age 45
• Doses: 2 doses if started before age 15; 3 doses if started after

Safety

• Extremely well-studied (200+ million doses given worldwide)
• Side effects: mild soreness at injection site
• No serious long-term adverse effects identified