What is the recommended age for administration of the GARDASIL (Human Papillomavirus vaccine)?

From the Guidelines

The recommended age for administration of the GARDASIL (Human Papillomavirus vaccine) is between 9 and 12 years.

Key Points

• The American Cancer Society recommends routine HPV vaccination between ages 9 and 12 years to achieve higher on-time vaccination rates, which will lead to increased numbers of cancers prevented 1.
• The vaccine can be started as early as age 9 and is recommended for all persons through age 26 who are not adequately vaccinated 1.
• Catch-up HPV vaccination is recommended for all persons through age 26 who are not adequately vaccinated, but vaccination at older ages is less effective in lowering cancer risk 1.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) also recommend routine vaccination with the HPV vaccine for individuals 11 through 12 years of age, with the option to start as early as age 9 1.
• The vaccine is licensed for use in children beginning at age 9 years, and the World Health Organization recommends starting HPV immunization at this age 1.

Vaccination Schedule

• For persons initiating vaccination before the 15th birthday, the recommended immunization schedule is 2 doses of HPV vaccine, with the second dose administered 6 to 12 months after the first dose 1.
• For those who initiate the vaccination series at age 15 through 26 years and for immunocompromised persons, 3 doses are recommended 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

GARDASIL 9 is a vaccine indicated in girls and women 9 through 45 years of age for the prevention of the following diseases... GARDASIL 9 is indicated in boys and men 9 through 45 years of age for the prevention of the following diseases: The recommended age for administration of the GARDASIL (Human Papillomavirus vaccine) is 9 through 45 years of age for both girls and women, and boys and men 2.

• The vaccine is indicated for individuals within this age range to prevent certain diseases caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types.
• Key age range: 9 to 45 years old.

From the Research

Recommended Age for GARDASIL Administration

The recommended age for administration of the GARDASIL (Human Papillomavirus vaccine) is:

• 11 or 12 years for routine vaccination 3
• 9 through 26 years for females and 9 through 15 years for males, as approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 3
• 13 through 26 years for females and 13 through 21 years for males, if not vaccinated previously 3
• Through age 26 years for men who have sex with men and for immunocompromised persons, if not vaccinated previously 3

Special Considerations

• For those not vaccinated at 11-12 years, vaccination is recommended for all persons through age 26 years 4
• Two HPV vaccine doses, given 6 to 12 months apart, are recommended if the series is started before age 15, while three doses are recommended for those who started vaccination at age 15 or over 4

Vaccine Approval and Recommendations

• GARDASIL is approved by the FDA for prevention of genital warts, cancers, and precancerous conditions of the cervix and vulva in 9-26 year old females 5
• The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends 9-valent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (9vHPV) as one of three HPV vaccines that can be used for routine vaccination 3