HPV Toolkit: Vaccine Safety
HPV Fact Zone
I keep hearing about negative side effects that Gardasil may cause, are these true? Is it safe?
Adverse reactions that occur after a vaccine is given, if reported, are collected in the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). This program is monitored by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration. Physicians and patients are encouraged to report side effects that could be related to vaccine administration. The program monitors frequencies of certain side effects and determines if any investigation needs to be done to clarify whether the vaccine causes a particular side effect. When a certain number of adverse events have been reported, it does not mean that the vaccine caused the adverse events. That information could only be verified with more research. Just because something happens after a vaccine, that does not mean that it is proof that the vaccine caused it.
To date, only 6% of the reports on Gardasil have been for serious side effects. To keep this in perspective, however, the overall rate of serious side effects for all vaccines is between 10-15%, so 6% is a relatively low number.
What are some of the possible expected side effects?
- Redness, swelling at the injection site
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Fever
- Joint/muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Physical weakness
- General malaise
Also see: Doctors Support the HPV Vaccine and Explain Reports of Negative Side Effects and Clarification of Adverse Events Associated with Gardasil
If Gardasil only protects against four types of HPV, couldn’t I get other strains?
Gardasil protects against HPV strains 6,11,16 and 18. HPV 16 and 18 are responsible for 70% of cervical cancer cases. HPV 6 and 11 are responsible for 90% of genital wart cases. Researchers are finding that Gardasil may also cross-protect against some other high-risk HPV strains. It is very important to continue getting pap screenings even after getting the HPV vaccine to monitor tissue changes that may occur from being exposed to other strains of HPV.
How long will the immunity last? Will a booster be necessary to keep the immunity?
Research suggests that Gardasil, the only HPV vaccine currently approved by the FDA, will provide immunity for at least five years. As years of follow-up continue, researchers will be able to determine if a booster is needed or not. Results look promising that the immunity does not diminish over time and a booster shot may not be necessary.
Is there any mercury in this vaccine?
No, this vaccine contains no mercury or thimerosal (a mercury containing preservative).