GARDASIL®

As a mom, your daughter’s health is one of your top concerns. So it’s no surprise that you may have a few more questions you want answered about GARDASIL® and HPV. Here are some answers to questions we’ve heard from moms just like you.

Also talk to your daughter’s healthcare professional for more information about GARDASIL® and HPV. In addition, read the Patient Product Information or the Prescribing InformationTo retrieve this information you will be re-directed to a page within our main Merck Frosst Website which contains Product Monographs, Prescribing Information, Product Information and Consumer Information approved by Health Canada. Click here to go to the Gardasil® page on MerckFrosst.com for GARDASIL®.

• Will my daughter still need to get Pap tests in the future?

• Why do I need to vaccinate my daughter now if she is not sexually active?

• Does GARDASIL® help protect against more than HPV and cervical cancer?

• What are the side effects of GARDASIL®?

• Why should I also help protect my daughter against genital warts?

---

Will my daughter still need to get Pap tests in the future?

Yes. Pap tests (cervical cancer screenings) will play a key role in protecting your daughter’s health as she gets older since GARDASIL® does not protect against all types of HPV, and not all abnormal Pap test results are caused by HPV infections. Pap tests are proven to help save lives by looking for abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix before they have the chance to become precancers or cancer.

Your daughter’s healthcare professional can tell you when your daughter’s first Pap test should be. In the meantime, it’s never too early to teach your daughter good healthcare habits.

For more information about GARDASIL® and HPV, talk to your daughter’s healthcare professional.

Back to top

---

Why do I need to vaccinate my daughter now if she is not sexually active?

It may be hard to think about your daughter even having to worry about coming into contact with HPV. After all, she isn’t sexually active.

But, like other vaccines your daughter may have received, GARDASIL® works to help prevent illness. That means GARDASIL® works best when given before there is any contact with HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. It’s important to help protect your daughter now, before she’s exposed to HPV.

However, if your daughter is older and already sexually active, she can still benefit from GARDASIL®.

For more information about GARDASIL® and HPV, talk to your daughter’s healthcare professional.

Back to top

---

In addition to helping protect against HPV and cervical cancer, what else does GARDASIL® help protect against ?

GARDASIL® is the only HPV vaccine that helps protect against 4 types of human papillomavirus (HPV): 2 types that cause 70% of cervical cancers, and 2 more types that cause 90% of genital warts.

By vaccinating your daughter with GARDASIL®, you’re helping to protect her against diseases caused by 4 types of HPV:

• Cervical cancer
• Vaginal and vulvar cancers
• Abnormal and precancerous cervical, vagina and vulvar cells (as found in Pap tests)
• Genital warts

For more information about GARDASIL® and HPV, talk to your daughter’s healthcare professional.

Back to top

---

What are the side effects of GARDASIL®?

Like all vaccines, GARDASIL® may cause some side effects. GARDASIL® has been shown to be generally well tolerated in women and girls as young as 9 years old.

The most commonly reported side effects included:

• Pain, swelling, itching, bruising and redness where the shot was given.
• Fever, nausea, dizziness, headache and vomiting were also reported.

If your daughter has any unusual or severe symptoms after receiving GARDASIL®, contact her healthcare professional right away. For a more complete list of side effects, ask your daughter's healthcare professional.

The safety of the vaccine is something that is being followed on an ongoing basis.

For more information about GARDASIL® and HPV, talk to your daughter’s healthcare professional.

Back to top

---

Why should I also help protect my daughter against HPV and genital warts?

It’s simple. You do everything you can to help protect your daughter. Men and women have about a 10% risk of developing genital warts in their lifetimes. By getting your daughter vaccinated with GARDASIL® you’ll help protect her against HPV types 6 and 11, which cause about 90% of genital warts.

Learn everything you can.
Do everything you can.
Talk to your healthcare professional.

For more information about GARDASIL® and HPV, talk to your daughter’s healthcare professional.

Back to top

---

---

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT GARDASIL®

GARDASIL® is a vaccine indicated in girls and women 9-26 years of age, for the prevention of infection caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18 and the following diseases associated with these types: cervical cancer, abnormal and precancerous cervical cells, vaginal and vulvar cancers, abnormal and precancerous vaginal and vulvar cells, and genital warts. 

GARDASIL® helps prevent these diseases but it does not treat them. And just like all vaccines, GARDASIL® may not fully protect everyone who gets it. GARDASIL® does not protect against all types of HPV. Duration of protection over the long term has not been established. Vaccination with GARDASIL® is not recommended during pregnancy.

Like all vaccines, GARDASIL® may cause some side effects. GARDASIL® has been shown to be generally well tolerated in adults and children as young as 9 years old. The most commonly reported side effects in girls and women included pain, swelling, itching, bruising and redness where the shot was given. Fever, nausea, dizziness, headache and vomiting were also reported. Allergic reactions may occur.

Even if you get vaccinated with GARDASIL®, it is still important to continue having regular Pap tests.

Only a healthcare professional can decide if GARDASIL® is right for you or your daughter.

Read the Patient Product Information or the Prescribing InformationTo retrieve this information you will be re-directed to a page within our main Merck Frosst Website which contains Product Monographs, Prescribing Information, Product Information and Consumer Information approved by Health Canada. Click here to go to the Gardasil® page on MerckFrosst.com for more information.