7 HPV Vaccine (Gardasil 9) Side Effects You Should Know About

Approximately 85% of people in the U.S. will get infected with the human papillomavirus (HPV) in their lifetime. It’s typically transmitted through skin-to-skin sexual contact. Most HPV infections will resolve on their own. But some can progress to genital warts and certain cancers, such as cervical, penile, and anal cancer. 

The HPV vaccine, known as Gardasil 9, can help protect against HPV infection and its potential complications. Gardasil 9 is currently the only HPV vaccine available in the U.S. Benefits aside, you may want to know if the HPV vaccine is safe for you or your child. As with most vaccines, short-term side effects are common. You can usually manage them safely at home. But are there any long-term side effects?

HPV vaccine side effects at a glance

Most HPV vaccine side effects are mild and only last for a short time after receiving a dose. Common HPV vaccine side effects can include:

• Injection site reactions, such as pain, redness, and swelling

• Headache

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

• Diarrhea

• Fever 

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While rare, some people may develop a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) after receiving the HPV vaccine. Fainting is also possible, but this can happen after nearly all vaccines, especially in adolescents.

Even though HPV vaccine side effects are short-lived, you may want to know how to find relief in the meantime. We provide useful tips for dealing with seven HPV vaccine side effects below.

1. Injection site reactions

The most common HPV vaccine side effects are injection site reactions that last a day or two after your dose. This includes pain, swelling, and redness where you receive the injection. The HPV vaccine is given as a 2-dose or 3-dose series. And the risk of injection site reactions tends to go up with each dose.

There are a few things you can do to manage injection site reactions after the HPV vaccine. You can try applying ice packs to help with redness and swelling. If it’s safe to take one, an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever may alleviate soreness. And if the area is itchy, OTC anti-itch creams may provide some relief.

Injection site reactions that start to spread or get worse after 24 hours may be a sign of a more serious problem. Contact your healthcare provider right away if this happens. 

Keep in mind that injection site reactions are different from an allergic reaction. But you should call 911 or have someone take you to the nearest ER if you also develop symptoms such as difficulty breathing and swelling of the face or throat.

2. Headache

Some people report experiencing headaches after receiving the HPV vaccine. Similar to other common side effects, your headache should resolve within a few days. But in the meantime, an OTC pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), may help make your headache more bearable. Check with your pharmacist for options that are safe for you to take.

Let your healthcare provider know if your headaches are severe, not going away, or getting worse.

Keep in mind: It’s a good idea to avoid giving aspirin (and any other salicylate product) to anyone under 19 years old to manage their headache after the HPV vaccine. People in the age group, particularly children ages 4 to 12 years old, have a higher risk of Reye’s syndrome. Reye’s syndrome is a life-threatening condition linked to aspirin use in children.

3. Nausea

Temporary nausea is possible after receiving an HPV vaccine dose. While this can be an unpleasant side effect, it should go away quickly. In the meantime, there are a few things you can try, such as eating smaller, more frequent meals if you’re feeling nauseated. And stick with bland, starchy foods that may be easier on your stomach.

Before reaching for an OTC product like Pepto-Bismol for nausea, check the label first. Most Pepto-Bismol products contain bismuth subsalicylate, which, like aspirin, is a salicylate. As mentioned above, it’s best to avoid giving salicylates to people under 19 years old. However, the children’s version of Pepto-Bismol contains a safer ingredient: calcium carbonate.

If your nausea is getting worse or isn’t going away, reach out to your healthcare provider. They can also suggest nausea medications that are safe to take.

4. Dizziness

Some people might feel light-headed or dizzy right after receiving an HPV vaccine dose. Sometimes this results in fainting, especially with adolescents. If fainting occurs, most people recover within a few minutes.

To avoid falls from dizziness or fainting, it’s a good idea to receive the vaccine sitting down and to remain seated for at least 15 minutes afterwards. If you start feeling dizzy, sit back down and wait until you feel more stable on your feet.

Let vaccination site staff know if the dizziness is severe, getting worse, or not going away. They can determine how best to handle the situation.

5. Fatigue

It’s normal to feel tired or fatigued for a short time after receiving an HPV vaccine dose. For some people, this can be a sign that your immune system is responding to the vaccine. If you’re feeling tired, try to take it easy until you feel your energy return to normal.

While rare, there have been some reports of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) after receiving an HPV vaccine dose. However, evidence hasn’t shown an increased risk of CFS with the HPV vaccine, or that the vaccine directly causes CFS. But if your fatigue is severe, getting worse, or not going away, let your healthcare provider know.

6. Diarrhea

Some people experience temporary diarrhea after receiving the HPV vaccine. This should resolve on its own within a few days. But in the meantime, it may be a good idea to avoid or minimize foods that can worsen diarrhea, such as dairy products and greasy foods. Be sure to keep hydrated, especially if your diarrhea is persistent.

Let your healthcare provider know if your diarrhea is severe, not going away, or getting worse. If needed, they may recommend an OTC anti-diarrheal, such as loperamide (Imodium A-D) for relief. Keep in mind that it’s best to avoid adult Pepto-Bismol products in children unless otherwise instructed by their provider.

7. Fever

Similar to fatigue, a fever can be a sign that your immune system is responding to the HPV vaccine. OTC fever reducers, such as acetaminophen, can help manage a fever until it goes away. It’s also a good idea to drink enough water to avoid dehydration. And as a reminder, it’s best to avoid aspirin for breaking a fever in children.

If you’ve had a fever for more than 3 days in a row, or if it’s high (104°F or higher), contact your healthcare provider right away.

Does the HPV vaccine have any long-term side effects?

The short answer: Current evidence hasn’t found that the HPV vaccine directly causes long-term side effects, such as reproductive problems. Researchers have also investigated side effects such as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), Guillain-Barré syndrome, and CFS. But a causal link hasn’t been found with these, either.

We have over 15 years of safety data on HPV vaccines. They’ve been carefully monitored and researched over the years. And the CDC and FDA have concluded that certain long-term side effects are extremely rare or not related to the vaccine at all.

It’s important to discuss any safety concerns you have about the HPV vaccine with your (or your child’s) healthcare provider. Keep in mind that just because something happens after vaccination, doesn’t mean it was caused by the vaccine.

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Written by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

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