Gardasil 9 (intramuscular)

Overdose

There have been reports of administration of higher than recommended doses of Gardasil.

In general, the adverse event profile reported with overdose was comparable to recommended single doses of Gardasil.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substances or to any of the excipients.

Individuals who develop symptoms indicative of hypersensitivity after receiving a dose of Gardasil should not receive further doses of Gardasil.

Administration of Gardasil should be postponed in individuals suffering from an acute severe febrile illness. However, the presence of a minor infection, such as a mild upper respiratory tract infection or low-grade fever, is not a contraindication for immunisation.

Incompatibilities

In the absence of compatibility studies, this medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products.

Pharmaceutical form

Undesirable effects

A. Summary of the safety profile

In 7 clinical trials (6 placebo-controlled), individuals were administered Gardasil or placebo on the day of enrolment and approximately 2 and 6 months thereafter. Few individuals (0.2%) discontinued due to adverse reactions. Safety was evaluated in either the entire study population (6 studies) or in a predefined subset (one study) of the study population using vaccination report card (VRC)-aided surveillance for 14 days after each injection of Gardasil or placebo. The individuals who were monitored using VRC-aided surveillance included 10,088 individuals (6,995 females 9 to 45 years of age and 3,093 males 9 to 26 years of age at enrolment) who received Gardasil and 7,995 individuals (5,692 females and 2,303 males) who received placebo.

The most common adverse reactions observed were injection-site adverse reactions (77.1% of vaccinees within 5 days following any vaccination visit) and headache (16.6% of the vaccinees). These adverse reactions usually were mild or moderate in intensity.

B. Tabulated summary of adverse reactions

Clinical Trials

Table 1 presents vaccine-related adverse reactions which were observed among recipients of Gardasil at a frequency of at least 1.0% and also at a greater frequency than observed among placebo recipients. They are ranked under headings of frequency using the following convention:

[Very Common (>1/10); Common (>1/100 to <1/10); Uncommon (>1/1,000 to <1/100); Rare (>1/10,000 to <1/1,000); Very Rare (<1/10,000)]

Post-Marketing Experience

Table 1 also includes additional adverse events which have been spontaneously reported during the post-marketing use of Gardasil worldwide. Because these events are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to vaccine exposure. Consequently, the frequency of these adverse events is qualified as "not known".

Table 1: Adverse Events Following Administration of Gardasil from Clinical Trials and Post-Marketing Surveillance

In addition, in clinical trials adverse reactions that were judged to be vaccine- or placebo-related by the study investigator were observed at frequencies lower than 1%:

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders:

Very rare: bronchospasm.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders:

Rare: urticaria.

Nine cases (0.06%) of urticaria were reported in the Gardasil group and 20 cases (0.15%) were seen in the adjuvant-containing placebo group.

In the clinical studies, individuals in the Safety Population reported any new medical conditions during the follow-up. Among 15,706 individuals who received Gardasil and 13,617 individuals who received placebo, there were 39 cases of non-specific arthritis/arthropathy reported, 24 in the Gardasil group and 15 in the placebo group.

In a clinical trial of 843 healthy adolescent males and females 11-17 years of age, administration of the first dose of Gardasil concomitantly with a combined diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis [acellular, component] and poliomyelitis [inactivated] booster vaccine showed that there was more injection-site swelling and headache reported following concomitant administration. The differences observed were < 10% and in the majority of subjects, the adverse events were reported as mild to moderate in intensity.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

Preclinical safety data

Single-dose and repeated-dose toxicity and local tolerance studies revealed no special hazards to humans.

Gardasil induced specific antibody responses against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18 in pregnant rats, following one or multiple intramuscular injections. Antibodies against all four HPV types were transferred to the offspring during gestation and possibly during lactation. There were no treatment-related effects on developmental signs, behaviour, reproductive performance, or fertility of the offspring.

GARDASIL administered to male rats at the full human dose (120 mcg total protein) had no effects on reproductive performance including fertility, sperm count, and sperm motility, and there were no vaccine-related gross or histomorphologic changes on the testes and no effects on testes weights.

Therapeutic indications

Gardasil is a vaccine for use from the age of 9 years for the prevention of:

- premalignant genital lesions (cervical, vulvar and vaginal), premalignant anal lesions, cervical cancers and anal cancers causally related to certain oncogenic Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types

- genital warts (condyloma acuminata) causally related to specific HPV types.

The use of Gardasil should be in accordance with official recommendations.

Pharmacotherapeutic group

Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Viral Vaccine, ATC code: J07BM01

Mechanism of Action

Gardasil is an adjuvanted non-infectious recombinant quadrivalent vaccine prepared from the highly purified virus-like particles (VLPs) of the major capsid L1 protein of HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. The VLPs contain no viral DNA, they cannot infect cells, reproduce or cause disease. HPV only infects humans, but animal studies with analogous papillomaviruses suggest that the efficacy of LI VLP vaccines is mediated by the development of a humoral immune response.

HPV 16 and HPV 18 are estimated to be responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancers and 75-80% of anal cancers; 80% of adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS); 45-70% of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2/3); 25% of low grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 1); approximately 70% of HPV related high-grade vulvar (VIN 2/3) and vaginal (VaIN 2/3) intraepithelial neoplasia and 80% of HPV related high-grade anal (AIN 2/3) intraepithelial neoplasia. HPV 6 and 11 are responsible for approximately 90% of genital warts and 10% of low grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 1). CIN 3 and AIS have been accepted as immediate precursors of invasive cervical cancer.

The indication is based on the demonstration of efficacy of Gardasil in females 16 to 45 years of age and in males 16 to 26 years of age and on the demonstration of immunogenicity of Gardasil in 9- to 15-year old children and adolescents.

Clinical Studies

Efficacy in women 16 through 26 years

The efficacy of Gardasil in 16- through 26- year-old women was assessed in 4 placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized Phase II and III clinical studies including a total of 20,541 women, who were enrolled and vaccinated without pre-screening for the presence of HPV infection.

The primary efficacy endpoints included HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, or 18-related vulvar and vaginal lesions (genital warts, VIN, VaIN) and CIN of any grade and cervical cancers (Protocol 013, FUTURE I), HPV 16- or 18-related CIN 2/3 and AIS and cervical cancers (Protocol 015, FUTURE II), HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, or 18-related persistent infection and disease (Protocol 007), and HPV 16-related persistent infection (Protocol 005). The primary analyses of efficacy, with respect to vaccine HPV types (HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18), were conducted in the per-protocol efficacy (PPE) population (i.e. all 3 vaccinations within 1 year of enrollment, no major protocol deviations and naïve to the relevant HPV type(s) prior to dose 1 and through 1 month Postdose 3 (Month 7)).

Efficacy results are presented for the combined analysis of study protocols. The efficacy for HPV 16/18 related CIN 2/3 or AIS is based on data from protocols 005 (16-related endpoints only), 007, 013, and 015. The efficacy for all other endpoints is based on protocols 007, 013, and 015. The median duration of follow-up for these studies was 4.0, 3.0, 3.0, and 3.0 years for Protocol 005, Protocol 007, Protocol 013, and Protocol 015, respectively. The median duration of follow-up for the combined protocols (005, 007, 013, and 015) was 3.6 years. Results of individual studies support the results from the combined analysis. Gardasil was efficacious against HPV disease caused by each of the four vaccine HPV types. At end of study, individuals enrolled in the two Phase-III studies (Protocol-013 and Protocol-015), were followed for up to 4 years (median 3.7 years).

Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) Grade 2/3 (moderate to high-grade dysplasia) and adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) were used in the clinical trials as a surrogate marker for cervical cancer.

In the long-term extension study of Protocol 015, 2,084 women 16-23 years old during vaccination with Gardasil in the base study were followed. In the PPE population no cases of HPV diseases (HPV types 6/11/16/18 related high grade CIN) were observed up to approximately 12 years. In this study, a durable protection was statistically demonstrated to approximately 10 years.

Efficacy in women naïve to the relevant vaccine HPV type(s)

Efficacy was measured starting after the Month 7 visit. Overall, 73% of women were naïve (PCR negative and seronegative) to all 4 HPV types at enrolment.

The efficacy results for relevant endpoints analysed at 2 years post-enrolment and at end of study (median duration of follow-up = 3.6 years) in the per-protocol population are presented in the Table 2.

In a supplemental analysis, the efficacy of Gardasil was evaluated against HPV 16/18-related CIN 3 and AIS.

Table 2: Analysis of efficacy of Gardasil against high grade cervical lesions in the PPE population

*Number of individuals with at least one follow-up visit after Month 7

**Based on virologic evidence, the first CIN 3 case in a patient chronically infected with HPV 52 is likely to be causally related to HPV 52. In only 1 of 11 specimens HPV 16 was found (at Month 32.5) and was not detected in tissue excised during LEEP (Loop Electro-Excision Procedure). In the second CIN 3 case observed in a patient infected with HPV 51 at Day 1 (in 2 of 9 specimens); HPV 16 was detected at a Month 51 biopsy (in 1 of 9 specimens) and HPV 56 was detected in 3 of 9 specimens at Month 52 in tissue excised during LEEP.

***Patients were followed for up to 4 years (median 3.6 years)

Note: Point estimates and confidence intervals are adjusted for person-time of follow-up.

At end of study and in the combined protocols,

- the efficacy of Gardasil against HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, 18-related CIN 1 was 95.9 % (95% CI: 91.4, 98.4),

- the efficacy of Gardasil against HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, 18-related CIN (1, 2, 3) or AIS was 96.0% (95% CI: 92.3, 98.2),

- the efficacy of Gardasil against HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, 18-related VIN2/3 and VaIN 2/3 was 100% (95% CI: 67.2, 100) and 100% (95% CI: 55.4, 100), respectively,

- the efficacy of Gardasil against HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, 18-related genital warts was 99.0% (95% CI: 96.2, 99.9).

In Protocol 012 the efficacy of Gardasil against the 6 month definition of persistent infection [samples positive on two or more consecutive visits 6 months apart (±1 month) or longer] related to HPV 16 was 98.7 % (95% CI: 95.1, 99.8) and 100.0% (95% CI: 93.2, 100.0) for HPV 18 respectively, after a follow-up of up to 4 years (mean of 3.6 years). For the 12 month definition of persistent infection, efficacy against HPV 16 was 100.0 % (95% CI: 93.9, 100.0) and 100.0 % (95% CI: 79.9, 100.0) for HPV 18 respectively.

Efficacy in women with evidence of HPV 6, 11, 16, or 18 infection or disease at day 1

There was no evidence of protection from disease caused by vaccine HPV types for which women were PCR positive at day 1. Women who were already infected with one or more vaccine-related HPV types prior to vaccination were protected from clinical disease caused by the remaining vaccine HPV types.

Efficacy in women with and without prior infection or disease due to HPV 6, 11, 16, or 18

The modified intention to treat (ITT) population included women regardless of baseline HPV status at Day 1, who received at least one vaccination and in whom case counting started at 1 month Postdose 1. This population approximates to the general population of women with respect to prevalence of HPV infection or disease at enrolment. The results are summarised in Table 3.

Table 3: Efficacy of Gardasil in high grade cervical lesions in the modified ITT-population including women regardless of baseline HPV status

*Number of individuals with at least one follow-up visit after 30 days after Day 1

**Percent efficacy is calculated from the combined protocols. The efficacy for HPV 16/18 related CIN 2/3 or AIS is based on data from protocols 005 (16-related endpoints only), 007, 013, and 015. Patients were followed for up to 4 years (median 3.6 years).

Note: point estimates and confidence intervals are adjusted for person-time of follow-up.

Efficacy against HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, 18-related VIN 2/3 was 73.3% (95% CI: 40.3, 89.4), against HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, 18-related VaIN 2/3 was 85.7% (95% CI: 37.6, 98.4), and against HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, 18-related genital warts was 80.3% (95% CI: 73.9, 85.3) in the combined protocols at end of study.

Overall 12% of the combined study population had an abnormal Pap test suggestive of CIN at Day 1. Among women with an abnormal Pap test at Day 1 who were naïve to the relevant vaccine HPV types at Day 1, efficacy of the vaccine remained high. Among women with an abnormal Pap test at Day 1 who were already infected with the relevant vaccine HPV types at Day 1, no vaccine efficacy was observed.

Protection Against the Overall Burden of Cervical HPV disease in 16- Through 26-Year-Old Women

The impact of Gardasil against the overall risk for cervical, HPV disease (i.e., disease caused by any HPV type) was evaluated starting 30 days after the first dose in 17,599 individuals enrolled in the two phase III efficacy trials (Protocols 013 and 015). Among women who were naïve to 14 common HPV types and had a negative Pap test at Day 1, administration of Gardasil reduced the incidence of CIN 2/3 or AIS caused by vaccine- or non-vaccine HPV types by 42.7% (95% CI: 23.7, 57.3) and of genital warts by 82.8% (95% CI: 74.3, 88.8) at end of study.

In the modified ITT population, the benefit of the vaccine with respect to the overall incidence of CIN 2/3 or AIS (caused by any HPV type) and of genital warts was much lower, with a reduction of 18.4% (95% CI: 7.0, 28.4) and 62.5% (95% CI: 54.0, 69.5), respectively, as Gardasil does not impact the course of infections or disease that are present at vaccination onset.

Impact on Definitive Cervical Therapy Procedures

The impact of Gardasil on rates of Definitive Cervical Therapy Procedures regardless of causal HPV types was evaluated in 18,150 individuals enrolled in Protocol 007, Protocols 013 and 015. In the HPV naïve population (naïve to 14 common HPV types and had a negative Pap test at Day 1), Gardasil reduced the proportion of women who experienced a definitive cervical therapy procedure (Loop Electro-Excision Procedure or Cold-Knife Conization) by 41.9% (95% CI: 27.7, 53.5) at end of study. In the ITT population the corresponding reduction was 23.9% (95% CI: 15.2, 31.7).

Cross-protective efficacy

The efficacy of Gardasil against CIN (any grade) and CIN 2/3 or AIS caused by 10 non-vaccine HPV types (HPV 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59) structurally related to HPV 16 or HPV 18 was evaluated in the combined Phase III efficacy database (N = 17,599) after a median follow-up of 3.7 years (at end of study). Efficacy against disease endpoints caused by pre-specified combinations of non-vaccine HPV types was measured. The studies were not powered to assess efficacy against disease caused by individual HPV types.

The primary analysis was done in type-specific populations that required women to be negative for the type being analyzed, but who could be positive for other HPV types (96% of the overall population). The primary time point analysis after 3 years did not reach statistical significance for all pre-specified endpoints. The final end-of-study results for the combined incidence of CIN 2/3 or AIS in this population after a median follow-up of 3.7 years are shown in Table 4. For composite endpoints, statistically significant efficacy against disease was demonstrated against HPV types phylogenetically related to HPV 16 (primarily HPV 31) whereas no statistically significant efficacy was observed for HPV types phylogenetically related to HPV 18 (including HPV 45). For the 10 individual HPV types, statistical significance was only reached for HPV 31.

Table 4: Results for CIN 2/3 or AIS in Type-Specific HPV-Naïve Individuals†(end of study results)

Efficacy in women 24 through 45 years

The efficacy of Gardasil in 24- through 45-year-old women was assessed in 1 placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized Phase III clinical study (Protocol 019, FUTURE III) including a total of 3,817 women, who were enrolled and vaccinated without pre-screening for the presence of HPV infection.

The primary efficacy endpoints included the combined incidence of HPV 6-, 11-, 16- or 18-related and the combined incidence of HPV 16- or HPV 18-related persistent infection (6 month definition), genital warts, vulvar and vaginal lesions, CIN of any grade, AIS, and cervical cancers. The median duration of follow-up for this study was 4.0 years.

In the long-term extension study of Protocol 019, 685 women 24-45 years old during vaccination with Gardasil in the base study were followed. In the PPE population, no cases of HPV diseases (HPV types 6/11/16/18 related CIN any grade and Genital Warts) were observed through 10.2 years (median follow-up of 9.2 years).

Efficacy in women naïve to the relevant vaccine HPV type(s)

The primary analyses of efficacy were conducted in the per-protocol efficacy (PPE) population (i.e. all 3 vaccinations within 1 year of enrolment, no major protocol deviations and naïve to the relevant HPV type(s) prior to dose 1 and through 1 month Postdose 3 (Month 7)). Efficacy was measured starting after the Month 7 visit. Overall, 67% of individuals were naïve (PCR negative and seronegative) to all 4 HPV types at enrolment.

The efficacy of Gardasil against the combined incidence of HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, or 18-related persistent infection, genital warts, vulvar and vaginal lesions, CIN of any grade, AIS, and cervical cancers was 88.7% (95% CI: 78.1, 94.8).

The efficacy of Gardasil against the combined incidence of HPV 16- or 18-related persistent infection, genital warts, vulvar and vaginal lesions, CIN of any grade, AIS, and cervical cancers was 84.7% (95% CI: 67.5, 93.7).

Efficacy in women with and without prior infection or disease due to HPV 6, 11, 16, or 18

The Full Analysis Set population (also known as the ITT population) included women regardless of baseline HPV status at Day 1, who received at least one vaccination and in whom case counting started at Day 1. This population approximates to the general population of women with respect to prevalence of HPV infection or disease at enrolment.

The efficacy of Gardasil against the combined incidence of HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, or 18-related persistent infection, genital warts, vulvar and vaginal lesions, CIN of any grade, AIS, and cervical cancers was 47.2% (95% CI: 33.5, 58.2).

The efficacy of Gardasil against the combined incidence of HPV 16- or 18-related persistent infection, genital warts, vulvar and vaginal lesions, CIN of any grade, AIS, and cervical cancers was 41.6% (95% CI: 24.3, 55.2).

Efficacy in women (16 to 45 years) with evidence of a prior infection with a vaccine HPV type (seropositive) that was no longer detectable at vaccination onset (PCR negative)

In post hoc analyses of individuals (who received at least one vaccination) with evidence of a prior infection with a vaccine HPV type (seropositive) no longer detectable (PCR negative) at vaccination onset, the efficacy of Gardasil to prevent conditions due to the recurrence of the same HPV type was 100% (95% CI: 62.8, 100.0; 0 vs. 12 cases [n = 2572 from pooled studies in young women]) against HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, and 18-related CIN 2/3, VIN 2/3, VaIN 2/3, and genital warts in women 16 to 26 years. Efficacy was 68.2% (95% CI: 17.9, 89.5; 6 vs. 20 cases [n= 832 from studies in young and adult women combined]) against HPV 16- and 18-related persistent infection in women 16 to 45 years.

Efficacy in men 16 through 26 years

Efficacy was evaluated against HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, 18-related external genital warts, penile/perineal/perianal intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) grades 1/2/3, and persistent infection.

The efficacy of Gardasil in 16- through 26-year-old men was assessed in 1 placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized Phase III clinical study (Protocol 020) including a total of 4,055 men who were enrolled and vaccinated without pre-screening for the presence of HPV infection. The median duration of follow-up was 2.9 years.

In a subset of 598 men (GARDASIL = 299; placebo = 299) in Protocol 020 who self-identified as having sex with men (MSM) efficacy against anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN grades 1/2/3) and anal cancer, and intra-anal persistent infection was evaluated.

MSM are at higher risk of anal HPV infection compared to the general population; the absolute benefit of vaccination in terms of prevention of anal cancer in the general population is expected to be very low.

Efficacy in Men naïve to the relevant vaccine HPV types

The primary analyses of efficacy, with respect to vaccine HPV types (HPV 6, 11, 16, 18), were conducted in the per-protocol efficacy (PPE) population (i.e. all 3 vaccinations within 1 year of enrolment, no major protocol deviations and naïve to the relevant HPV type(s) prior to dose 1 and through 1 month Postdose 3 (Month 7)). Efficacy was measured starting after the Month 7 visit. Overall, 83% of men (87% of heterosexual subjects and 61% of MSM subjects) were naïve (PCR negative and seronegative) to all 4 HPV types at enrolment.

Anal Intraepithelial Neoplasia (AIN) Grade 2/3 (moderate to high-grade dysplasia) was used in the clinical trials as a surrogate marker for anal cancer.

The efficacy results for relevant endpoints analysed at end of study (median duration of follow-up 2.4 years) in the per-protocol population are presented in the Table 5. Efficacy against PIN grades 1/2/3 was not demonstrated.

Table 5: Efficacy of Gardasil against external genital lesions in the PPE* population of 16-26 year old men

*The individuals in the PPE population received all 3 vaccinations within 1 year of enrolment, had no major protocol deviations, and were naïve to the relevant HPV type(s) prior to dose 1 and through 1 month Postdose 3 (Month 7).

At end of study analysis for anal lesions in the MSM population (median duration of follow-up was 2.15 years), the preventive effect against HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, 18-related AIN 2/3 was 74.9% (95 % CI: 8.8, 95.4; 3/194 versus 13/208) and against HPV 16- or 18-related AIN 2/3 86.6% (95 % CI: 0.0, 99.7; 1/194 versus 8/208).

The duration of protection against anal cancer is currently unknown. In the long-term extension study of Protocol 020, 918 men 16-26 years old during vaccination with Gardasil in the base study were followed. In the PPE population, no cases of HPV types 6/11 related genital warts, HPV 6/11/16/18 external genital lesions or HPV 6/11/16/18 high grade AIN in MSM were observed through 9.6 years (median follow-up of 8.5 years).

Efficacy in men with or without prior infection or disease due to HPV 6, 11, 16, or 18

The Full Analysis Set population included men regardless of baseline HPV status at Day 1, who received at least one vaccination and in whom case counting started at Day 1. This population approximates to the general population of men with respect to prevalence of HPV infection or disease at enrolment.

The efficacy of GARDASIL again

Pharmacokinetic properties

Not applicable.

Name of the medicinal product

Qualitative and quantitative composition

Special warnings and precautions for use

The decision to vaccinate an individual should take into account the risk for previous HPV exposure and potential benefit from vaccination.

As with all injectable vaccines, appropriate medical treatment should always be readily available in case of rare anaphylactic reactions following the administration of the vaccine.

Syncope (fainting), sometimes associated with falling, can occur following, or even before, any vaccination, especially in adolescents as a psychogenic response to the needle injection. This can be accompanied by several neurological signs such as transient visual disturbance, paraesthesia, and tonic-clonic limb movements during recovery. Therefore, vaccinees should be observed for approximately 15 minutes after vaccine administration. It is important that procedures are in place to avoid injury from faints.

As with any vaccine, vaccination with Gardasil may not result in protection in all vaccine recipients.

Gardasil will only protect against diseases that are caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 and to a limited extent against diseases caused by certain related HPV types. Therefore, appropriate precautions against sexually transmitted diseases should continue to be used.

Gardasil is for prophylactic use only and has no effect on active HPV infections or established clinical disease. Gardasil has not been shown to have a therapeutic effect. The vaccine is therefore not indicated for treatment of cervical cancer, high-grade cervical, vulvar, and vaginal dysplastic lesions or genital warts. It is also not intended to prevent progression of other established HPV-related lesions.

Gardasil does not prevent lesions due to a vaccine HPV type in individuals infected with that HPV type at the time of vaccination.

The use of Gardasil in adult women should take into consideration the variability of HPV type prevalence in different geographical areas.

Vaccination is not a substitute for routine cervical screening. Since no vaccine is 100% effective and Gardasil will not provide protection against every HPV type, or against existing HPV infections, routine cervical screening remains critically important and should follow local recommendations.

Safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine have been assessed in individuals aged from 7 to 12 years who are known to be infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Individuals with impaired immune responsiveness, due to either the use of potent immunosuppressive therapy, a genetic defect, or other causes, may not respond to the vaccine.

This vaccine should be given with caution to individuals with thrombocytopaenia or any coagulation disorder because bleeding may occur following an intramuscular administration in these individuals.

Long-term follow-up studies are currently ongoing to determine the duration of protection..

There are no safety, immunogenicity or efficacy data to support change during vaccination with Gardasil to other HPV vaccines which do not cover the same HPV types. Therefore, it is important that the same vaccine should be prescribed for the whole dose regimen.

Effects on ability to drive and use machines

No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed.

Dosage (Posology) and method of administration

Posology

Individuals 9 to and including 13 years of age

Gardasil can be administered according to a 2-dose schedule (0.5 ml at 0, 6 months).

If the second vaccine dose is administered earlier than 6 months after the first dose, a third dose should always be administered.

Alternatively, Gardasil can be administered according to a 3-dose (0.5 ml at 0, 2, 6 months) schedule. The second dose should be administered at least one month after the first dose and the third dose should be administered at least 3 months after the second dose. All three doses should be given within a 1-year period.

Individuals 14 years of age and older

Gardasil should be administered according to a 3-dose (0.5 ml at 0, 2, 6 months) schedule.

The second dose should be administered at least one month after the first dose and the third dose should be administered at least 3 months after the second dose. All three doses should be given within a 1-year period.

The use of Gardasil should be in accordance with official recommendations.

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of Gardasil in children below 9 years of age have not been established. No data are available.

It is recommended that individuals who receive a first dose of Gardasil complete the vaccination course with Gardasil.

The need for a booster dose has not been established.

Method of administration

The vaccine should be administered by intramuscular injection. The preferred site is the deltoid area of the upper arm or in the higher anterolateral area of the thigh.

Gardasil must not be injected intravascularly. Neither subcutaneous nor intradermal administration has been studied. These methods of administration are not recommended.

Special precautions for disposal and other handling

Gardasil, suspension for injection:

- Gardasil may appear as a clear liquid with a white precipitate prior to agitation.

- Shake well before use to make a suspension. After thorough agitation, it is a white, cloudy liquid.

- Inspect the suspension visually for particulate matter and discolouration prior to administration. Discard the vaccine if particulates are present and/or if it appears discoloured.

- Withdraw the 0.5 ml dose of vaccine from the single-dose vial using a sterile needle and syringe.

- Inject immediately using the intramuscular (IM) route, preferably in the deltoid area of the upper arm or in the higher anterolateral area of the thigh.

- The vaccine should be used as supplied. The full recommended dose of the vaccine should be used.

Any unused vaccine or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

Gardasil, suspension for injection in a pre-filled syringe:

- Gardasil may appear as a clear liquid with a white precipitate prior to agitation.

- Shake well before use, the pre-filled syringe, to make a suspension. After thorough agitation, it is a white, cloudy liquid.

- Inspect the suspension visually for particulate matter and discolouration prior to administration. Discard the vaccine if particulates are present and/or if it appears discoloured.

- Two needles of different lengths are provided in the pack, choose the appropriate needle to ensure an intramuscular (IM) administration depending on your patient's size and weight.

- Attach the needle by twisting in a clockwise direction until the needle fits securely on the syringe. Administer the entire dose as per standard protocol.

- Inject immediately using the intramuscular (IM) route, preferably in the deltoid area of the upper arm or in the higher anterolateral area of the thigh.

- The vaccine should be used as supplied. The full recommended dose of the vaccine should be used.

Any unused vaccine or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.