The HPV Vaccine, a three injection series commonly know as Gardasil is available for any patient ages 11-26. The HPV vaccine helps to prevent genital HPV, the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. Pregnant women should not receive the HPV Vaccine. CDC recommendation on the HPV vaccine.
The HPV Vaccine does not appear to cause any serious side effects.
Mild Problems:
- Pain at the injection site.
- Redness or swelling at the injection site.
- Mild fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Itching at the injection site.
- Moderate Fever (102 degrees Fahrenheit).
These symptoms do not last long and go away on their own.
Life-threatening allergic reactions from vaccines are very rare. If they do occur, it would be within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccination.
Like all vaccines, the HPV vaccine will continue to be monitored for unusual or severe problems.
*This information was taken directly from the HPV VIS dated 2/2/2007.