GardasilNicole Kettner, Guy Hamilton, Nathalie Besse

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

What is HPV?◦STD that includes more than 100 types.◦Certain types are “high-risk” while others are

“low-risk”

How common is HPV?◦20 million people are currently infected◦50% of sexually active men and women will

acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives

◦By age 50, at least 80% of women will have acquired genital HPV infection.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

How do people get genital HPV infections?◦Primarily spread through genital contact,

intercourse isn’t necessary.

What are the signs and symptoms of genital HPV infections?◦The virus lives in the skin or mucous

membranes and usually causes no symptoms

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

How is genital HPV diagnosed?◦Pap tests in women◦No tests available for men

Is there a cure?◦No cure, although it usually goes away on its

own.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

What’s the connection between HPV infection and cervical cancer?◦HPV can develop into cervical cancer

How can people reduce their risk of genital HPV infection?◦Refrain from genital contact or have a

monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner.

Gardasil

What is Gardasil and what is it used for?◦Protects against certain diseases caused by

HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18.

Key Information◦Does not substitute for routine cervical cancer

screening and may not fully protect everyone who gets vaccinated.

◦Works best when given before any contact with HPV has occurred.

Gardasil

Who can and cannot receive the vaccination?◦Gardasil is for girls and women 9 to 26 years of

age.

Before receiving the vaccination◦Talk to your health care provider

Gardasil

How is it given?◦3 doses of the vaccine

First Dose: at a date you choose Second Dose: 2 months after the first dose Third Dose: 6 months after the first dose

What are the side effects?◦Has been shown to be generally well tolerated◦Most common side effects include:

Pain, swelling, itching, and redness at injection site Fever Nausea Dizziness Vomiting Fainting

Gardasil

What are the components of Gardasil?◦Main parts are purified proteins from HPV types

6, 11, 16, and 18.

Will Gardasil help is a person already has HPV?◦May benefit because most likely, the individual

is not infected with all four types of the virus.

Gardasil

Efficacy◦Gardasil was effective in preventing HPV types

6, 11, 16, and 18 if an individual was not already infected.

Gardasil

Precautions◦General◦Pregnancy◦Pediatric Use◦Geriatric Use

Adverse Reactions◦Overall, 94% of subjects who received Gardasil

in studies judged their injection site adverse experience to be mild or moderate in intensity.

Controversy & Ethics of Gardasil

Merck & Co.◦Lobbying efforts

Texas◦Governor Rick Perry

Controversy & Ethics of Gardasil

Other States◦Virginia and New Mexico, New Hampshire and

South Dakota, Iowa

Minnesota◦Considering the vaccine to be recommended

for girls entering sixth grade

Discussion Questions

Do you believe giving this vaccine to young girls will make them more promiscuous?

Would you have your daughter vaccinated?

Would the $360.00 price tag defer you from vaccination?