Gardasil 9 (HPV 9-valent vaccine) is prescribed to help prevent certain HPV-caused conditions in some adults and children. It comes as an intramuscular injection given by a healthcare professional. The dosage can vary depending on certain factors.
Gardasil 9 is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help prevent some diseases caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), including:
- genital warts
- certain cancers, including cervical cancer
- certain precancerous or atypical lesions (cell growths), such as cervical dysplasia
Gardasil 9 is approved for these uses in children and adults ages 9–45 years old.
Gardasil 9 is a biologic and belongs to a drug class called vaccines. It’s specific for nine types of HPV. Gardasil 9 is not available in a biosimilar version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Gardasil 9, including how it’s given. For a comprehensive look at Gardasil 9, including details about its uses, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Gardasil 9 provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Gardasil 9 dosage that’s right for you.
Below is information about Gardasil 9’s form, strength, and dosages.
Gardasil 9 form
Gardasil 9 comes as a liquid suspension for intramuscular injection. It’s available in single-dose vials and prefilled syringes. Your doctor or another healthcare professional, such as a pharmacist, will give your injections.
Gardasil 9 strength
Gardasil 9 comes in one volume of 0.5 milliliters (mL).
Typical dosages
The following information describes dosages that are commonly used in adults.However, your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Dosage for preventing genital warts caused by HPV
Doctors may recommend Gardasil 9 to help prevent genital warts caused by HPV. The typical dosage is three separate doses of 0.5 mL.
After you receive your first dose, you’ll get a second dose in 2 months. You’ll get the third dose 6 months after your first dose.
Dosage for preventing precancerous or atypical lesions caused by HPV
Doctors may also recommend Gardasil 9 to help prevent some HPV-caused precancerous or atypical lesions. HPV can cause these conditions in the anus, cervix, vulva, and vagina.
The recommended dosage for this use is the same as the dosage for genital warts just above.
Dosage for preventing cervical and other cancers caused by HPV
Gardasil 9 is recommended to help prevent certain HPV-caused cancers. These cancers may appear in the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, and in the head and neck.
The Gardasil 9 dosage recommended for the prevention of these cancers is the same as the dosage for genital warts above.
For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.
Children’s dosages
Gardasil 9 is approved to help prevent certain HPV-caused conditions in children ages 9 years and older. These conditions include certain HPV-related cancers, precancerous and atypical lesions, and genital warts. The vaccine schedule for children can vary by age and other factors.
Children ages 9–14 years old
Children of these ages may receive the vaccine in a series of two or three doses of 0.5 mL. Your child’s doctor will help you decide the number of doses that are best for your child.
With the two-dose series, your child will get the second dose 6–12 months after the first. With the three-dose schedule, they’ll get the second dose 2 months after the first dose. Then, they’ll get the third dose 6 months after the first dose.
Children ages 15 years and older
Children of these ages typically receive three doses of Gardasil 9. They’ll get their second dose 2 months after the first dose. Then, they’ll get the third dose 6 months after the first dose.
Talk with your child’s doctor if you have questions about their dosage.
Long-term treatment
Gardasil 9 is used in a short-term series for long-term prevention of HPV-caused conditions. Doctors give the doses over a period of 6–12 months. The length of time depends on whether they prescribe a two-dose or three-dose series.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how many Gardasil 9 doses you can expect.
The Gardasil 9 dosing schedule your doctor prescribes (two versus three doses) may depend on several factors, including your:
- age
- second dose’s timing
- immune system
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your dosing schedule.
Dosage adjustments
Some children with weakened immune systems may need three instead of two Gardasil 9 doses. Your child’s doctor will help determine the right dosage for your child.
Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any allergies or conditions you may have.
Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you Gardasil 9 as an intramuscular injection. Typically, they inject it into the muscle of your upper arm. However, it can also be given in the upper outer thigh.
After your vaccine injection, the doctor will likely have you wait 15 minutes. This helps them make sure you don’t faint or have a serious allergic reaction. If you feel faint or dizzy, let them know.
For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as skin rash, call your doctor right away. They’ll determine whether you should receive your other Gardasil 9 doses. If your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.
If you have questions about how this vaccine is given, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: Before receiving Gardasil 9, tell your doctor if you’ve ever had a severe allergic reaction to yeast, a prior dose of Gardasil,* or Gardasil 9.
* Gardasil was first approved in 2006 as a vaccine specifically for four types of HPV. It was discontinued in the United States after Gardasil 9 came on the market.
It’s important to complete your full vaccine series as prescribed for the most benefit and protection from HPV. If you miss an appointment for Gardasil 9, call your doctor or pharmacist to reschedule as soon as possible.
To help make sure that you don’t miss vaccine appointments, consider setting calendar reminders.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Gardasil 9.
What happens if my second or third dose of Gardasil 9 is delayed?
If you’re delayed in getting the second or third dose of Gardasil 9, it’s best to let the doctor or pharmacist know. They’ll decide when it’s best to get the next dose.
According to the
For more information, talk with your doctor about how to address delayed doses.
How long does it take for Gardasil 9 to start working?
Gardasil 9 starts to work on your body’s immune system after your first dose. But as with any vaccine, it usually takes your body a few weeks to build immunity. Plus, a single dose may only provide partial protection from HPV.
With Gardasil 9, each dose helps, but getting all prescribed doses is most effective. In Gardasil 9’s clinical trials, most people had antibodies (to the nine HPV types from the vaccine) 1 month after the last dose of their series. (For details about recommended dosing schedules, see the “Gardasil 9 dosage” section above.)
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Gardasil 9.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor or your child’s doctor recommends Gardasil 9, they’ll prescribe the appropriate dosage and schedule.
If you have questions about the Gardasil 9 schedule that’s best, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Gardasil 9. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Gardasil 9: For information about other aspects of Gardasil 9, refer to this article.
- Details about HPV: To learn more about immunization for HPV and other infections, see our list of articles on:
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.