Gardasil 4 vs Gardasil 9 in Dubai: HPV Vaccine Prices, Doses & Aftercare

Actual product photographs; packaging may vary by market. Photos: Whispyhistory / Wikimedia Commons — Gardasil and Gardasil 9, CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized for display.

Gardasil 4 or Gardasil 9: what is the difference?

Both are preventive HPV vaccines. “Valency” describes the number of HPV types covered, not the number of injections or the strength of a dose.

• Quadrivalent Gardasil: covers HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. Types 6 and 11 cause most genital warts; types 16 and 18 are important causes of HPV-related cancers.
• Gardasil 9: covers those same four types plus 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58, extending protection against additional cancer-associated HPV types.

Both use non-infectious virus-like particles and cannot give you HPV. Gardasil 9 offers broader type coverage, although neither vaccine covers every HPV type. Product availability and approved ages vary by country. In the United States, only Gardasil 9 has been available since late 2016; this does not mean quadrivalent Gardasil has stopped being used in every developed country.

Benefits, limitations and expectations

Vaccination can help prevent future vaccine-type HPV infection and associated disease, including many genital warts and certain precancers and cancers. Protection is most useful before exposure. Someone who has already been sexually active may still benefit because exposure to every vaccine type is unlikely.

The vaccine does not remove existing genital warts, clear an established HPV infection or treat cancer. It also does not replace cervical screening when recommended, or other measures that reduce sexual-health risks. If you already have a new skin lesion, arrange an assessment rather than relying on vaccination alone. Read more about genital warts and HPV.

Who can benefit from HPV vaccination?

Dubai Health Authority guidance includes vaccination from age 9 and catch-up vaccination through age 26 for people who have not completed an appropriate course. For adults aged 27–45, the decision is individual: a consultation considers previous doses, possible future exposure and likely benefit. Gardasil 9 is licensed in the US for females and males aged 9–45; local prescribing must follow the applicable UAE product information and clinical guidance.

Bring your vaccination record if you have one. A routine HPV test is not required simply to decide whether vaccination is appropriate. Previous HPV infection is not, by itself, a reason to rule out vaccination.

How many doses are needed, and when?

• Starting before the 15th birthday: usually two doses, at month 0 and 6–12 months later. A dose given too early may require an additional dose.
• Starting at age 15 or older: a three-dose Gardasil 9 course, usually at months 0, 2 and 6.
• People with a weakened immune system: generally need three doses, including those starting at ages 9–14; the clinician confirms the schedule.

The schedule is based on age at the first dose, medical history and previous vaccination. If a visit is delayed, the series generally continues without restarting. There is no routine annual booster after a correctly completed course. The three-dose package below is an option for patients who need that schedule, not a requirement for every patient.

Who should not receive it, or should wait?

A severe allergic reaction to a previous dose or a vaccine ingredient, including yeast, is a contraindication. Tell the clinician about allergies, previous reactions, immune-suppressing treatment, bleeding disorders and all previous HPV doses.

Vaccination is usually postponed during a moderate or severe acute illness; a mild cold alone does not automatically prevent vaccination. HPV vaccination is deferred during pregnancy. If a dose was given before pregnancy was recognised, contact your clinician for advice and delay remaining doses until after pregnancy; this is not in itself evidence of harm to the pregnancy.

Who should administer Gardasil?

A licensed, appropriately trained healthcare professional should administer the vaccine in a clinical setting with facilities to manage an allergic reaction. Gardasil is not a self-injection. The usual dose is 0.5 mL into a muscle, commonly the upper arm. Correct storage matters: the product must be kept within its required refrigerated cold chain, generally 2–8°C, and must not be frozen.

Side effects and care after the injection

Common effects include soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, headache, tiredness, mild fever, nausea, and muscle or joint discomfort. They are usually mild and short-lived. Fainting can happen around injections, especially in adolescents.

• Stay seated or lying down for about 15 minutes after vaccination, or longer if your clinician advises.
• Drink fluids and rest if you feel unwell. A cool compress can help a sore arm. Ask about a suitable pain reliever if needed, following its instructions.
• Resume usual activities as you feel comfortable. If you feel dizzy or unwell, avoid driving or strenuous activity until recovered.
• Keep the vaccination record and book the next dose before leaving.

Seek urgent medical help for difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, widespread hives, collapse or another severe reaction. Contact the clinic for persistent or worsening symptoms. Vaccination does not provide immediate treatment or complete protection against all sexually transmitted infections.

Gardasil 9 price in Dubai: consultation and injection packages

First dose: AED 1,200. Includes the Gardasil 9 vaccine, consultation and injection.

Three-dose course: AED 3,000. Includes three Gardasil 9 doses, administration at the scheduled visits and the initial consultation. The doses are given on separate dates according to the recommended schedule.

These are Dr. Amin’s clinic package prices, not a pharmacy-only price. The quadrivalent vaccine is discussed for comparison; no quadrivalent package price is quoted here. Formulation and breadth of coverage can influence vaccine cost, but the final price also depends on supplier, market and included services. A higher valency does not create a universal fixed price rule.

Can insurance cover the vaccine?

Coverage depends on your insurer, policy benefits, age and eligibility, provider network and any approval requirements. Vaccine supply, consultation and administration may be assessed separately. Our team can help you check the benefits applicable to your plan before booking. The published self-pay packages are not a guarantee of reimbursement or an insurer’s agreed tariff.

Common questions

I completed quadrivalent Gardasil. Do I need Gardasil 9?

An additional course is not routinely recommended after a correctly completed HPV vaccination series. Bring your records for an individual review rather than automatically repeating the course.

Can I take all three doses on the same day?

No. The interval between doses is part of the vaccination schedule. Purchasing a package does not change the timing.

Will vaccination treat my current genital warts?

No. Existing lesions need their own assessment and treatment plan. Vaccination may still offer protection against types not previously acquired.

Book a private HPV vaccination consultation in Dubai

Discuss your options with Dr. Amin Mir Sadeghi, urologist and andrologist in Dubai. Your visit can clarify which vaccine and schedule fit your history, what the package includes, and whether insurance benefits may apply.

Medical Village, Villa 24, Street 10B, Al Manara, Dubai.
WhatsApp / appointments: +971 56 796 3993 · Request an appointment

Medical sources

• Merck: quadrivalent Gardasil prescribing information
• Merck: Gardasil 9 prescribing information
• Merck: Gardasil 9 patient information
• DHA: Clinical Guidelines for Best Practice in Immunization, version 4 (2026)
• DHA: HPV vaccination patient guide
• CDC: HPV vaccination considerations
• CDC: HPV vaccine safety
• CDC: HPV vaccination for adults
• EMA: Gardasil 9 overview
• Daman: vaccination administration adjudication guidance