Question

How old should you be for the Gardasil vaccine?

Answer

The vaccine is approved for women 9-26 years old. Ideally, girls should be given the vaccine before they become sexually active, because they will get maximal protection, as they will never have been exposed to the virus. For these girls, the vaccine can prevent almost 100% of disease caused by the 4 types of HPV that are in the vaccine. (THEY can still contract other types of HPV that are not included in the vaccine)

GARDASIL is a registered trademark of Merck & Co., Inc.


Wendy Fried, M.D., FACOG, FACS, is an OB/Gyn with Northern Obstetrics and Gynecology, PC in North Hills, New York

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