American Medical Center, JLT
+971 52 641 0764
HPV Vaccine
Gardasil
GARDASIL®9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant) helps protect individuals ages 9 to 45 against the following diseases caused by 9 types of HPV: cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in females, anal cancer, certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers and genital warts in both males and females.
What does the vaccine do?
There are several strains of HPV which are spread through sexual contact. The HPV vaccine has been approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in girls and boys. Giving the vaccine to children can help to protect them against associated diseases later in life, such as:
- Cervical cancer in women
- Vaginal and vulvar cancer in women
- Genital warts in both men and women
- Anal cancer in both men and women
Vaccinating boys against HPV is expected to help reduce the risks of cervical cancer in women thanks to the decreased likelihood of transmission of the virus.
It is also thought that the vaccine may help to protect against some types of throat and mouth cancer which HPV has also been linked to.
Guidelines for Administration of HPV Vaccine
- HPV Vaccine (Gardacil, Cervarix) is given in three shots of 0.5 ml doses. First shot is followed by the second shot in 1-2 months, and then the third shot in 6 months after the first shot.
- HPV Vaccine is recommended for all girls, 9 – 26 years old.
- Testing for HPV is currently not recommended before vaccination.
- HPV vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women, but it is safe for breastfeeding women.
