Gardasil 9 Side Effects

Generic name: human papillomavirus vaccine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 19, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Gardasil 9.

Applies to human papillomavirus vaccine: intramuscular suspension Side Effects associated with human papillomavirus vaccine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Gardasil 9.

Applies to human papillomavirus vaccine: intramuscular suspension.

Precautions

It is very important that you return to your doctor's office at the right time for all of the doses. Be sure to notify your doctor of any side effects that occur after you receive this vaccine.

This vaccine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you or your child have a rash, itching, swelling of the tongue and throat, or trouble with breathing after you get the injection.

This vaccine does not replace your routine screening tests for anal cancer or cervical cancer (pap test). You will need to see your doctor for screening tests even after receiving this vaccine.

You or your child may feel faint, lightheaded, or dizzy right after you receive this vaccine. Sitting or lying down for 15 minutes after you receive the vaccine may help. If any of these side effects occur, do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. If this problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Serious side effects of Gardasil 9

Along with its needed effects, human papillomavirus vaccine (the active ingredient contained in Gardasil 9) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking human papillomavirus vaccine:

Other side effects of Gardasil 9

Some side effects of human papillomavirus vaccine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to human papillomavirus vaccine: intramuscular suspension.

General adverse events

The most common adverse events were injection site reactions, fatigue, headache, and myalgia.^[Ref]

Local

• Very common (10% or more): Injection site pain (91.9%), injection site swelling (49%), injection site erythema (48.4%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site pruritus, injection site hematoma, injection site induration, injection site hemorrhage, injection site warmth, injection site mass, injection site reaction
• Postmarketing reports: Injection site cellulitis^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (54.6%), headache (53.4%), pyrexia (13%), fever of 99.5F or higher (12.9%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Chlamydia infection, malaise
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Death
• Postmarketing reports: Asthenia, chills^[Ref]

Deaths occurred during clinical trials which were generally assessed as not vaccine related: car accidents, suicides, acute lymphocytic leukemia, hypovolemic septic shock, airplane crash, cerebral hemorrhage, gunshot wound, stomach adenocarcinoma, pulmonary embolus/deep vein thrombosis, sepsis, pancreatic cancer, arrhythmia, pulmonary tuberculosis, hyperthyroidism, post-operative pulmonary embolism and acute renal failure, traumatic brain injury/cardiac arrest, systemic lupus erythematosus, cerebrovascular accident, breast cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, autoimmune disease, infectious disease, homicide, and 1 unexplained sudden death 678 days following the last vaccine dose.^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Myalgia (48.8%), arthralgia (20.7%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain
• Postmarketing reports: Pain in extremity^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain upper, toothache
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Appendicitis, gastroenteritis
• Postmarketing reports: Pancreatitis^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Nasopharyngitis, oropharyngeal pain, influenza, cough, nasal congestion, upper respiratory tract infection, pharyngitis
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, asthma
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Bronchospasm
• Frequency not reported: Asthmatic crisis
• Postmarketing reports: Pulmonary embolus^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, migraine
• Postmarketing reports: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, motor neuron disease, paralysis, seizures, syncope (including syncope associated with tonic-clonic movements and other seizure-like activity) sometimes resulting in falling with injury, transverse myelitis^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): New medical conditions potentially indicative of systemic autoimmune disorders
• Postmarketing reports: Autoimmune diseases^[Ref]

New medical conditions potentially indicative of systemic autoimmune disorders included: arthralgia/arthritis/arthropathy, autoimmune thyroiditis, celiac disease, diabetes mellitus insulin dependent, erythema nodosum, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, nephritis, optic neuritis, pigmentation disorder, psoriasis, Raynaud's phenomenon, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma/morphea, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, uveitis, alopecia areata, ankylosing spondylitis, autoimmune thrombocytopenia, myocarditis, proteinuria, skin depigmentation, dermatomyositis, vasculitis, and vitiligo.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Injection site hypersensitivity
• Frequency not reported: Allergy to vaccine
• Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity reactions (including anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions, bronchospasm, and urticaria)^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Lymphadenopathy
• Postmarketing reports: Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Dysmenorrhea, vaginal infection, urinary tract infection
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Pelvic inflammatory disease, pyelonephritis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash, urticaria, itching/pruritus
• Postmarketing reports: Cellulitis, angioedema, erythema multiforme^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Postmarketing reports: Deep vein thrombosis^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Gardasil 9 side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer