FDA approves Gardasil 9 for nine types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)- Merck Inc.

The FDA has approved Gardasil 9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant) from Merck Inc., for the prevention of certain diseases caused by nine types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Covering nine HPV types, five more HPV types than Gardasil (previously approved by the FDA), Gardasil 9 has the potential to prevent approximately 90 percent of cervical, vulvar, vaginal and anal cancers. Gardasil 9 is a vaccine approved for use in females ages 9 through 26 and males ages 9 through 15.

It is approved for the prevention of cervical, vulvar, vaginal and anal cancers caused by HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58, and for the prevention of genital warts caused by HPV types 6 or 11. Gardasil 9 adds protection against five additional HPV types�31, 33, 45, 52 and 58� which cause approximately 20 percent of cervical cancers and are not covered by previously FDA-approved HPV vaccines.