Human Papillomavirus Vaccine

The human papillomavirus vaccine is a vaccine that protects against certain types of human papillomavirus infections. Cervical cancer, genital warts, and various precancerous genital lesions are some of the conditions that may be prevented by this vaccine. The HPV vaccine has been approved for use in girls and women age 9 to 26. Some of the more common side effects of this product include nausea, dizziness, and reactions at the injection site.

HPV Vaccine-Overview

What Is the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine?

Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Recombinant Vaccine (Gardasil^®) is a vaccine that has been licensed to prevent cervical cancer, vaginal or vulvar cancer, genital warts, and various precancerous genital lesions caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV for short).

The human papillomavirus vaccine is approved for use in girls and women age 9 to 26.

(Click What Is the HPV Vaccine Used For? for more information on what the human papillomavirus vaccine is used for, including possible off-label uses.)

Are There Side Effects?

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with the human papillomavirus vaccine. However, not everyone who gets the human papillomavirus vaccine will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate the vaccine well.

When side effects do occur, they are often minor and either require no treatment or can be easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.

The most common side effects of the human papillomavirus vaccine include:

Reactions at the injection site, including:

Pain
Swelling
Redness
Itching

Fever
Upset stomach (nausea)
Dizziness.

(Click HPV Vaccine Side Effects to learn about the specific side effects of this vaccine, including serious side effects to look out for.)

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