Gardasil Vaccination Schedule
The standard Gardasil (HPV vaccine) schedule consists of 2 doses for individuals aged 9-14 years and 3 doses for those aged 15-26 years. 1
Age-Based Dosing Schedule
Ages 9-14 years:
- 2-dose schedule:
- First dose: Day 0 (initial visit)
- Second dose: 6-12 months after first dose
- Minimum interval between doses: 6 months 1
Ages 15-26 years:
- 3-dose schedule:
Special Populations
Immunocompromised Individuals:
- 3-dose schedule regardless of age 1
- Doses at 0,1-2, and 6 months
Catch-up Vaccination:
- Recommended for all unvaccinated individuals through age 26 1
- Adults aged 27-45 years may receive vaccination based on shared clinical decision-making 1
Administration Details
- Route: Intramuscular injection 2, 3
- Dose: 0.5 mL per injection 3
- Storage: 2°C-8°C (36°F-46°F); do not freeze 2
Important Considerations
- Vaccination is most effective when administered before potential exposure to HPV through sexual activity 1
- The vaccine does not treat existing HPV infections or associated diseases 4
- Vaccination should be postponed during pregnancy but pregnancy testing is not required before vaccination 1
- Continued cervical cancer screening is necessary even after vaccination 1
Common Side Effects
- Local injection site reactions
- Headache (occurs in up to 50% of patients)
- Syncope (fainting) - patients should be observed for 15 minutes after administration 2, 1
Gardasil is highly effective at preventing HPV-related diseases, including cervical cancer (70% protection against HPV types 16/18) and genital warts (90% protection against HPV types 6/11) 1. The dosing schedule should be followed completely to ensure maximum protection against HPV infection and related cancers.