HPV Video
Vaccines are subject to licensure in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following studies that address safety and efficacy. FDA approved Gardasil in 2006 for females 9-26 years of age to protect against cervical, vulvar and vaginal cancers caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 and genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11.
Just last week, the FDA approved Gardasil 9 which adds protection against five additional HPV types—31, 33, 45, 52 and 58— which cause approximately 20 percent of cervical cancers. The vaccine is approved for use in females 9-26 years old and males 9-15 years old. The vaccine is administrated in three separate shots spaced two and six months apart.
In a randomized, controlled, clinical study, the new vaccine demonstrated the same efficacy as Gardasil showing the vaccine was 97 percent effective in protecting against cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancers. With the 5 additional strains of HPV protection, the new vaccine is considered to be 78 percent effective in preventing anal cancer.
Do you want to know more about HPV? This 3-minute video provides 10 basic facts about the virus.
I would like to ask Merck, the manufacturer, is there is a booster shot for my daughter who had the vaccine years ago and wants the additional protection?
