Gardasil vaccine
Use of Gardasil vaccine
The vaccine should be administered by intramuscular injection. The preferred injection site is the deltoid muscle of the shoulder or the anterolateral area of the upper thigh.
The drug cannot be administered intravenously.
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What are the indications for the Gardasil vaccine?
The Gardasil vaccine is indicated for use in girls and women aged 9 to 45 years to prevent diseases caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, including:
- cervical cancer;
- cancer of the vulva;
- vaginal cancer;
- cancer of the anal canal;
- precancerous and dysplastic conditions;
- genital warts;
- infections caused by the human papilloma virus.
Gardasil is also indicated for use in boys and men ages 9 to 26 to prevent diseases and infections caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18.
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What are the contraindications to the Gardasil vaccine?
Hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any component of the vaccine, including severe allergic reactions to yeast.
In individuals who develop symptoms suggestive of hypersensitivity after administration of a dose of Gardasil, administration of the next dose of vaccine is contraindicated.
As with other vaccines, the use of Gardasil should be delayed if the patient has an acute illness accompanied by fever. The presence of a mild infection, such as a minor upper respiratory tract infection or a low-grade fever, is not a contraindication to vaccination.
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What are the side effects of the Gardasil vaccine?
Possible side effects:
- pain, swelling, redness at the injection site;
- increase in body temperature;
- pain in muscles, joints;
- chills;
- fatigue, drowsiness;
Serious complications are extremely rare (anaphylactic reactions, bronchospasm, urticaria, convulsions).