WHAT IS GARDASIL®9?
GARDASIL®9 is a vaccine that helps protect against infection from 9 types of HPV that can lead to certain cancers and diseases, such as cervical cancer, anal cancer, certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers, and genital warts.
A quick look at the history of GARDASIL®* and GARDASIL®9
GARDASIL®9 has been available in Canada since 2015.
How does it work?
GARDASIL®9 is typically administered in 3 doses (and sometimes 2).
You get the GARDASIL®9 vaccine by a shot, usually in your arm. It’s typically given in 3 separate doses. All 3 doses should be given within a 1-year period. For girls and boys aged 9 to 14, it may be given in 2 separate doses. Talk to your healthcare professional (such as your doctor, nurse or pharmacist) for more information.
1st DOSE
You and your healthcare provider choose a date
2nd DOSE
2 months after 1st dose (not earlier than 1 month after the 1st dose)
For girls and boys aged 9 to 14, between 5 and 13 months after 1st dose
3rd DOSE
6 months after 1st dose (not earlier than 3 months after the 2nd dose)
For girls and boys aged 9 to 14, if the 2nd dose is given earlier than 5 months after the 1st dose, a 3rd dose should always be given
Your immune system makes antibodies against the 9 HPV types in the vaccine. If you’re exposed to one of these types, the antibodies may help defend against developing an infection and related diseases. However, GARDASIL®9 may not fully protect everyone who gets it.
Getting the HPV vaccine is an important step in helping to protect yourself against 9 types of HPV and the diseases associated with them, such as cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer, anal cancer, certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers, and genital warts. Now it’s time to start thinking about the other 2 doses!
Make sure to get the complete vaccine series: this will help you get the full benefits of GARDASIL®9.
Who should consider getting GARDASIL®9?
You can get the HPV virus at any point in your life while sexually active. GARDASIL®9 can be administered in individuals 9–45 years of age.
If you are already sexually active, or have already had an HPV infection, you could still benefit from HPV vaccination. Though GARDASIL®9 cannot treat an existing HPV infection, you can still benefit from GARDASIL®9 even if you are already infected with one type of HPV. If that HPV type is contained in the vaccine, GARDASIL®9 will still help protect you against the other eight types.
SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT HPV!
You can choose to help protect yourself – and so can those around you!
If you choose to help protect yourself with vaccination, discuss HPV prevention with your partner, friends, family and loved ones. You may also want to share the insights from this website with them!
Ready to get vaccinated?
Connect with a virtual healthcare professional now and find a vaccination site near you.
Have a question about GARDASIL®9? Check out our FAQ section.
* GARDASIL® is no longer available/marketed in Canada.
Safety Information
GARDASIL®9 is a vaccine indicated for individuals 9 through 45 years of age for the prevention of infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58 and the following diseases associated with the HPV types included in the vaccine: certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers, caused by HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58. GARDASIL®9 has been approved with conditions. This means it has passed Health Canada’s review and can be bought and sold in Canada, but the manufacturer has agreed to complete more studies to make sure the vaccine works the way it should. For more information, talk to your healthcare professional.
GARDASIL®9 is also indicated for individuals 9 through 45 years of age for the prevention of infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58 and the following diseases associated with the HPV types included in the vaccine: cervical, vulvar, vaginal and anal cancer caused by HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58; genital warts (condyloma acuminata) caused by HPV types 6 and 11; abnormal and precancerous cervical lesions (changes in cells of the cervix that have a risk of turning into cancer) as found in a Pap test caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58; abnormal and precancerous vaginal, vulvar (outside of the female genital area) and anal lesions caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58.
GARDASIL®9 does not protect the person getting the vaccine from a disease that is caused by other types of HPV, other viruses, or bacteria, and from HPV types that he/she may already have; but most people do not have all types contained in the vaccine. GARDASIL®9 does not treat HPV infection, cancers and diseases, or prevent its complications. GARDASIL®9 may not fully protect each person who gets it. GARDASIL®9 does not remove the need for screening for cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, and certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers; women should still get routine cervical cancer screening. GARDASIL®9 is not recommended for use in pregnant women and should only be used during pregnancy if a doctor or healthcare professional decides it is clearly needed. Women who become pregnant before completion of the vaccine series should complete their vaccination schedule after childbirth. If you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor or healthcare professional. GARDASIL®9 may cause some side effects and allergic reactions. The most common side effects seen are pain, swelling, redness, itching, bruising, bleeding, a lump where the shot is given, headache, fever, nausea, dizziness, tiredness, diarrhea, abdominal pain and sore throat. Fainting can happen after getting an HPV vaccine. Signs of an allergic reaction may include difficulty breathing, wheezing (bronchospasm), hives and rash. This is not a complete list of side effects; for any unexpected effects while taking GARDASIL®9, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Contact your doctor or healthcare professional to determine if GARDASIL®9 is an appropriate option for you.
Information about GARDASIL®9 is provided in the Product Monograph and Consumer Information, available here.
HPV=human papillomavirus.
