Silgard

1

ANNEX I

SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

 

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1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Silgard, suspension for injection.
Silgard, suspension for injection in a pre-filled syringe.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccine [Types 6, 11, 16, 18] (Recombinant, adsorbed). 

2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

1 dose (0.5 ml) contains approximately:

Human Papillomavirus1 Type 6 L1 protein2,3         20 micrograms
Human Papillomavirus1 Type 11 L1 protein2,3            40 micrograms
Human Papillomavirus1 Type 16 L1 protein2,3       40 micrograms
Human Papillomavirus1 Type 18 L1 protein2,3       20 micrograms.

1Human Papillomavirus = HPV.
2L1 protein in the form of virus-like particles produced in yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae
CANADE 3C-5 (Strain 1895)) by recombinant DNA technology. 
3adsorbed on amorphous aluminium hydroxyphosphate sulphate adjuvant (0.225 milligrams Al).

For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Silgard, suspension for injection.
Silgard, suspension for injection in a pre-filled syringe.

Prior to agitation, Silgard may appear as a clear liquid with a white precipitate. After thorough 
agitation, it is a white, cloudy liquid.

4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

Silgard 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.

See sections 4.4 and 5.1 for important information on the data that support this indication.

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

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Posology

Individuals 9 to and including 13 years of age
Silgard can be administered according to a 2-dose schedule (0.5 ml at 0, 6 months) (see section 5.1).

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

 

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Alternatively, Silgard 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
Silgard 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 Silgard should be in accordance with official recommendations.

Paediatric population
The safety and efficacy of Silgard in children below 9 years of age have not been established. No data 
are available (see section 5.1).

It is recommended that individuals who receive a first dose of Silgard complete the vaccination course 
with Silgard (see section 4.4).

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.

Silgard must not be injected intravascularly. Neither subcutaneous nor intradermal administration has 
been studied. These methods of administration are not recommended (see section 6.6).

4.3 Contraindications

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

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

Administration of Silgard 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.

4.4 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.

 

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

Silgard 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 (see section 5.1). Therefore, 
appropriate precautions against sexually transmitted diseases should continue to be used.

Silgard is for prophylactic use only and has no effect on active HPV infections or established clinical 
disease. Silgard 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.

Silgard does not prevent lesions due to a vaccine HPV type in individuals infected with that HPV type 
at the time of vaccination (see section 5.1).

The use of Silgard 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 
Silgard 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) (see section 5.1).
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 (see 
section 5.1).

There are no safety, immunogenicity or efficacy data to support change during vaccination with 
Silgard 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.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

In all clinical trials, individuals who had received immunoglobulin or blood-derived products during 
the 6 months prior to the first vaccine dose were excluded. 

Use with other vaccines 

Administration of Silgard at the same time (but, for injected vaccines, at a different injection site) as 
hepatitis B (recombinant) vaccine did not interfere with the immune response to the HPV types. The 
seroprotection rates (proportion of individuals reaching seroprotective level anti-HBs >10 mIU/ml) 
were unaffected (96.5% for concomitant vaccination and 97.5% for hepatitis B vaccine only). Anti-
HBs geometric mean antibody titres were lower on co-administration, but the clinical significance of 
this observation is not known.

Silgard may be administered concomitantly with a combined booster vaccine containing diphtheria (d) 
and tetanus (T) with either pertussis [acellular, component] (ap) and/or poliomyelitis [inactivated] 
(IPV) (dTap, dT-IPV, dTap-IPV vaccines) with no significant interference with antibody response to 
any of the components of either vaccine. However, a trend of lower anti-HPV GMTs was observed in 
the concomitant group. The clinical significance of this observation is not known. This is based on the 
results from a clinical trial in which a combined dTap-IPV vaccine was administered concomitantly 

 

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with the first dose of Silgard (see section 4.8).

The concomitant administration of Silgard with vaccines other than the ones above has not been 
studied.

Use with hormonal contraceptives

In clinical studies, 57.5% of women aged 16 to 26 years and 31.2% of women aged 24 to 45 years 
who received Silgard used hormonal contraceptives during the vaccination period. Use of hormonal 
contraceptives did not appear to affect the immune response to Silgard.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

Specific studies of the vaccine in pregnant women were not conducted. During the clinical 
development program, 3,819 women (vaccine = 1,894 vs. placebo = 1,925) reported at least one 
pregnancy. There were no significant differences in types of anomalies or proportion of pregnancies 
with an adverse outcome in Silgard and placebo treated individuals. These data on pregnant women 
(more than 1000 exposed outcomes) indicate no malformative nor feto/ neonatal toxicity.

The data on Silgard administered during pregnancy did not indicate any safety signal. However, these 
data are insufficient to recommend use of Silgard during pregnancy. Vaccination should be postponed 
until completion of pregnancy. 

Breast-feeding

In breast-feeding mothers given Silgard or placebo during the vaccination period of the clinical trials 
the rates of adverse reactions in the mother and the breast-fed infant were comparable between the 
vaccination and the placebo groups. In addition, vaccine immunogenicity was comparable among 
breast-feeding mothers and women who did not breast-feed during the vaccine administration.

Therefore Silgard can be used during breast-feeding.

Fertility

Animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to reproductive toxicity 
(see section 5.3). No effects on male fertility were observed in rats (see section 5.3).

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

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

4.8 Undesirable effects

A. Summary of the safety profile

In 7 clinical trials (6 placebo-controlled), individuals were administered Silgard 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 Silgard 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 Silgard 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 

 

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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 Silgard 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 Silgard 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 Silgard from Clinical Trials and Post-Marketing 
Surveillance
System Organ Class Frequency Adverse Events

Infections and infestations Not known Injection-site cellulitis *
Blood and lymphatic system 

disorders
Not known Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura*, 

lymphadenopathy*
Immune system disorders Not known Hypersensitivity reactions including 

anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions*
Nervous system disorders Very common Headache

Not known Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis*, Dizziness1 *, 
Guillain-Barré syndrome*, syncope sometimes 
accompanied by tonic-clonic movements*

Gastrointestinal disorders Common Nausea
Not known Vomiting*

Musculoskeletal and 
Connective Tissue Disorders

Common Pain in extremity
Not known Arthralgia*, Myalgia*

General disorders and 
administration site conditions

Very common At the injection site: erythema, pain, swelling

Common Pyrexia
At the injection site: hematoma, pruritus

Not known Asthenia*, chills*, fatigue*, malaise*

* Post-Marketing adverse events (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data).
1 During clinical trials, dizziness was observed as a common adverse reaction in females. In males, dizziness was 
not observed at a greater frequency in vaccine recipients than in placebo recipients.

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 Silgard group and 20 cases (0.15%) were seen in 
the adjuvant-containing placebo group.

 

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

4.9 Overdose

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

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

5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Viral Vaccine, ATC code: J07BM01

Mechanism of Action

Silgard 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 term "premalignant genital lesions" in section 4.1 corresponds to high-grade cervical 
intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2/3), high-grade vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN 2/3) and high-
grade vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN 2/3).

The term "premalignant anal lesions" in section 4.1 corresponds to high-grade anal intraepithelial 
neoplasia (AIN 2/3).

 

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http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Template_or_form/2013/03/WC500139752.doc


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

Clinical Studies

Efficacy in women 16 through 26 years

The efficacy of Silgard in 16- through 26-year-old women was assessed in 4 placebo-controlled, 
double-blind, randomised 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 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 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. Silgard 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 Silgard 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 Silgard was evaluated against HPV 16/18-related CIN 3 and 
AIS.

 

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Table 2: Analysis of efficacy of Silgard against high grade cervical lesions in the PPE population
Silgard Placebo % 

Efficacy
at 2 

years
(95% 
CI)

Silgard Placebo
% 

Efficacy***
at end of 

study
(95% CI)

Number of 
cases

Number of
individuals*

Number of 
cases

Number of
individuals*

Number of 
cases

Number of
individuals*

Number of 
cases

Number of
individuals*

HPV 16/18-
related CIN 
2/3 or AIS

0

8487

53

8460

100.0
(92.9, 
100.0)

2**

8493

112

8464

98.2
(93.5, 99.8)

HPV 16/18-
related CIN 3

0

8487

29

8460

100
(86.5, 
100.0)

2**

8493

64

8464

96.9
(88.4, 99.6)

HPV 16/18-
related AIS

0

8487

6

8460

100
(14.8, 
100.0)

0

8493

7

8464

100
(30.6, 
100.0)

*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 Silgard against HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, 18-related CIN 1 was 95.9 % (95% CI: 91.4, 

98.4),
 the efficacy of Silgard 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 Silgard 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 Silgard against HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, 18-related genital warts was 99.0% (95% CI: 

96.2, 99.9).

In Protocol 012 the efficacy of Silgard 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.

 

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

Silgard Placebo
% 

Efficacy**
at 2 years
(95% CI)

Silgard Placebo % 
Efficacy**
at end of 

study
(95% CI)

Number of
cases

Number of
individuals*

Number of 
cases

Number of
individuals*

Number of 
cases

Number of
individuals*

Number of 
cases

Number of
individuals*

HPV 16- or 
HPV 18-

related CIN 
2/3 or AIS

122

9831

201

9896

39.0
(23.3, 
51.7)

146

9836

303

9904

51.8
(41.1, 
60.7)

HPV 16/18-
related CIN 

3

83

9831

127

9896

34.3
(12.7, 
50.8)

103

9836

191

9904

46.0
(31.0, 
57.9)

HPV 16/18-
related AIS

5

9831

11

9896

54.3
(<0, 87.6)

6

9836

15

9904

60.0
(<0, 87.3)

*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 Silgard 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 Silgard 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 Silgard does not impact 
the course of infections or disease that are present at vaccination onset.

Impact on Definitive Cervical Therapy Procedures 

The impact of Silgard 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), Silgard
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).

 

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Cross-protective efficacy

The efficacy of Silgard 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)
Naïve to ≥ 1 HPV Type

Composite Endpoint
Silgard Placebo

% Efficacy 95% CIcases cases
(HPV 31/45) ‡ 34 60 43.2% 12.1, 63.9

(HPV 31/33/45/52/58) § 111 150 25.8% 4.6, 42.5
10 non-vaccine HPV 

Types║
162 211 23.0% 5.1, 37.7

HPV-16 related types (A9 
species)

111 157 29.1% 9.1, 44.9

HPV 31 23 52 55.6% 26.2, 74.1†

HPV 33 29 36 19.1% <0, 52.1†

HPV 35 13 15 13.0% <0, 61.9†

HPV 52 44 52 14.7% <0, 44.2†

HPV 58 24 35 31.5% <0, 61.0†

HPV-18 related types     
(A7 species)

34 46 25.9% <0, 53.9

HPV 39 15 24 37.5% <0, 69.5†

HPV 45 11 11 0.0% <0, 60.7†

HPV 59 9 15 39.9% <0, 76.8†

A5 species (HPV 51) 34 41 16.3% <0, 48.5†

A6 species (HPV 56) 34 30 -13.7% <0, 32.5†
† The studies were not powered to assess efficacy against disease caused by individual HPV types.
‡ Efficacy was based on reductions in HPV 31-related CIN 2/3 or AIS
§ Efficacy was based on reductions in HPV 31-, 33-, 52-, and 58-related CIN 2/3 or AIS
║ Includes assay-identified non-vaccine HPV types 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, and 59.  

Efficacy in women 24 through 45 years

The efficacy of Silgard in 24- through 45-year-old women was assessed in 1 placebo-controlled, 
double-blind, randomised 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.

 

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In the long-term extension study of Protocol 019, 685 women 24-45 years old during vaccination with
Silgard 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 10.1 years (median 
follow-up of 8.7 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 Silgard 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 Silgard 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 Silgard 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 Silgard 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 Silgard 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 Silgard in 16- through 26-year-old men was assessed in 1 placebo-controlled, double-
blind, randomised 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.

 

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In a subset of 598 men (SILGARD = 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.

HIV infection was an exclusion criterion (see also section 4.4).

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 Silgard against external genital lesions in the PPE* population of 16-26 year old 
men 

Endpoint
Silgard Placebo % Efficacy (95%CI)

N Number of 
cases

N Number of 
cases

HPV 6/11/16/18-related external genital lesions
External genital lesions 1394 3 1404 32 90.6 (70.1. 98.2)

Genital warts 1394 3 1404 28 89.3 (65.3, 97.9)
PIN1/2/3 1394 0 1404 4 100.0 (-52.1, 100.0)

*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, 917 men 16-26 years old during vaccination with Silgard 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 11.5 years 
(median follow-up of 9.5 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.

 

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The efficacy of Silgard against HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, 18-related external genital warts was 68.1% (95% 
CI: 48.8, 79.3). 

The efficacy of Silgard against HPV 6-, 11-, 16-, 18-related AIN 2/3 and HPV 16- or 18-related 
AIN 2/3, in the MSM substudy, was 54.2% (95% CI: -18.0, 75.3; 18/275 versus 39/276) and 57.5% 
(95% CI: -1.8, 83.9; 8/275 versus 19/276 cases), respectively.

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

The impact of Silgard against the overall risk for external genital lesions was evaluated after the first 
dose in 2,545 individuals enrolled in the Phase III efficacy trial (Protocol 020). Among men who were 
naïve to 14 common HPV types, administration of Silgard reduced the incidence of external genital 
lesions caused by vaccine- or non-vaccine HPV types by 81.5% (95% CI: 58.0, 93.0). In the Full 
Analysis Set (FAS) population, the benefit of the vaccine with respect to the overall incidence of EGL 
was lower, with a reduction of 59.3% (95% CI: 40.0, 72.9), as Silgard does not impact the course of 
infections or disease that are present at vaccination onset. 

Impact on Biopsy and Definitive Therapy Procedures 

The impact of Silgard on rates of biopsy and treatment of EGL regardless of causal HPV types was 
evaluated in 2,545 individuals enrolled in Protocol 020. In the HPV naïve population (naïve to 14 
common HPV types), Silgard reduced the proportion of men who had a biopsy by 54.2% (95% CI: 
28.3, 71.4) and who were treated by 47.7% (95% CI: 18.4, 67.1) at end of study. In the FAS 
population, the corresponding reduction was 45.7% (95% CI: 29.0, 58.7) and 38.1% (95% CI: 19.4, 
52.6).

Immunogenicity

Assays to Measure Immune Response

No minimum antibody level associated with protection has been identified for HPV vaccines.

The immunogenicity of Silgard was assessed in 20,132 (Silgard n = 10,723; placebo n = 9,409) girls 
and women 9 to 26 years of age, 5,417 (Silgard n = 3,109; placebo n = 2,308) boys and men 9 to 
26 years of age and 3,819 women 24 to 45 years of age (Silgard n = 1,911, placebo n = 1,908).

Type-specific immunoassays, competitive Luminex-based immunoassay (cLIA), with type-specific 
standards were used to assess immunogenicity to each vaccine type. This assay measures antibodies 
against a single neutralizing epitope for each individual HPV type.

Immune Responses to Silgard at 1 month post dose 3 

In the clinical studies in women 16 to 26 years of age, 99.8%, 99.8%, 99.8%, and 99.5% of individuals 
who received Silgard became anti-HPV 6, anti-HPV 11, anti-HPV 16, and anti-HPV 18-seropositive,
respectively, by 1 month Postdose 3. In the clinical study in women 24 to 45 years, 98.4%, 98.1%, 
98.8%, and 97.4% of individuals who received Silgard became anti-HPV 6, anti-HPV 11, 
anti-HPV 16, and anti-HPV 18 seropositive, respectively, by 1 month Postdose 3. In the clinical study 
in men 16 to 26 years, 98.9%, 99.2%, 98.8%, and 97.4% of individuals who received Silgard became 
anti-HPV 6, anti-HPV 11, anti-HPV 16, and anti-HPV 18 seropositive, respectively, by 1 month 
Postdose 3. Silgard induced high anti-HPV Geometric Mean Titres (GMTs) 1 month Postdose 3 in all 
age groups tested.

As expected for women 24 to 45 years of age (Protocol 019), the observed antibody titres were lower 
than that seen in women 16 to 26 years.

Anti-HPV levels in placebo individuals who had cleared an HPV infection (seropositive and PCR 

 

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negative) were substantially lower than those induced by the vaccine. Furthermore, anti-HPV levels 
(GMTs) in vaccinated individuals remained at or above serostatus cut-off during the long-term follow-
up of the phase III studies (see below under Persistence of Immune Response of Silgard).

Bridging the Efficacy of Silgard from Women to Girls

A clinical study (Protocol 016) compared the immunogenicity of Silgard in 10- to 15-year-old girls to 
those in 16- to 23-year-old women. In the vaccine group, 99.1 to 100% became seropositive to all 
vaccine serotypes by 1 month Postdose 3.

Table 6 compares the 1 month Postdose 3 anti-HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18 GMTs in 9- to 15-year-old girls 
with those in 16- to 26-year-old women. 

Table 6: Immunogenicity bridging between 9- to 15-year-old girls and 16- to 26-year-old women (per-
protocol population) based on titres as measured by cLIA

9- to 15-Year-Old Girls
(Protocols 016 and 018)

16- to 26-Year-Old Women
(Protocols 013 and 015)

n GMT (95% CI) n GMT (95% CI)
HPV 6 915 929 (874, 987) 2631 543 (526, 560)
HPV 11 915 1303 (1223, 1388) 2655 762 (735, 789)
HPV 16 913 4909 (4548, 5300) 2570 2294 (2185, 2408)
HPV 18 920 1040 (965, 1120) 2796 462 (444, 480)

GMT- Geometric mean titre in mMU/ml (mMU = milli-Merck units)

Anti-HPV responses at Month 7 among 9- to 15-year-old girls were non-inferior to anti-HPV 
responses in 16- to 26-year-old women for whom efficacy was established in the phase III studies. 
Immunogenicity was related to age and Month 7 anti-HPV levels were significantly higher in younger 
individuals below 12 years of age than in those above that age.

On the basis of this immunogenicity bridging, the efficacy of Silgard in 9- to 15-year-old girls is 
inferred.

In the long-term extension study of Protocol 018, 369 girls 9-15 years old during vaccination with
Silgard 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 10.7 years (median 
follow-up of 10.0 years).

Bridging the Efficacy of Silgard from Men to Boys 

Three clinical studies (Protocols 016, 018 and 020) were used to compare the immunogenicity of 
Silgard in 9- to 15-year-old boys to 16- to 26-year-old men. In the vaccine group, 97.4 to 99.9% 
became seropositive to all vaccine serotypes by 1 month Postdose 3.

Table 7 compares the 1 month Postdose 3 anti-HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18 GMTs in 9- to 15-year-old boys 
with those in 16- to 26-year-old men. 

Table 7: Immunogenicity bridging between 9- to 15-year-old boys and 16- to 26-year-old men (per-
protocol population) based on titres as measured by cLIA

9- to 15-Year-Old Boys 16- to 26-Year-Old Men

n GMT (95% CI) n GMT (95% CI)
HPV 6 884 1038 (964, 1117) 1093 448 (419, 479)
HPV 11 885 1387 (1299, 1481) 1093 624 (588, 662)
HPV 16 882 6057 (5601, 6549) 1136 2403 (2243, 2575)
HPV 18 887 1357 (1249, 1475) 1175 403 (375, 433)

GMT- Geometric mean titre in mMU/ml (mMU = milli-Merck units)

 

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Anti-HPV responses at Month 7 among 9- to 15-year-old boys were non-inferior to anti-HPV 
responses in 16- to 26-year-old men for whom efficacy was established in the Phase III studies. 
Immunogenicity was related to age and Month 7 anti-HPV levels were significantly higher in younger 
individuals.

On the basis of this immunogenicity bridging, the efficacy of Silgard in 9- to 15-year-old boys is 
inferred.

In the long-term extension study of Protocol 018, 326 boys 9-15 years old during vaccination with
Silgard in the base study, were followed. In the PPE population, no cases of HPV diseases (HPV types 
6/11/16/18 related External Genital Lesions) were observed through 10.6 years (median follow-up of 
9.9 years).

Persistence of Immune Response of Silgard

A subset of individuals enrolled in the Phase III studies was followed up for a long-term period for 
safety, immunogenicity and effectiveness. Total IgG Luminex Immunoassay (IgG LIA) was used to 
assess the persistence of immune response in addition to cLIA.

In all populations (women 9 – 45 years, men 9 – 26 years), peak anti-HPV 6, anti-HPV 11, 
anti-HPV 16, and anti-HPV 18 GMTs cLIA were observed at Month 7. Afterwards, the GMTs 
declined through Month 24 - 48 and then generally stabilized. The exact duration of immunity 
following a 3-dose series has not been established and is currently being studied.

Girls and boys vaccinated with Silgard at 9-15 years of age in Protocol 018 base study were followed 
up in an extension study. Depending on HPV type, 60-96% and 78-98% of subjects were seropositive 
by cLIA and IgG LIA respectively 10 years after vaccination (see Table 8).

Table 8: Long-term immunogenicity data (per-protocol population) based on percentage of 
seropositive subjects as measured by cLIA and IgG LIA (Protocol 018) at 10 years, in girls and boys 
9-15 years of age

cLIA IgG LIA

n
% of seropositive 

subjects
n % of seropositive subjects

HPV 6 409 89% 430 93%
HPV 11 409 89% 430 90%
HPV 16 403 96% 426 98%
HPV 18 408 60% 429 78%

Women vaccinated with Silgard at 16-23 years of age in Protocol 015 base study will be followed up 
to 14 years in an extension study. Nine years after vaccination, 94%, 96%, 99% and 60% were 
anti-HPV 6, anti-HPV 11, anti-HPV 16 and anti-HPV 18 seropositive in the cLIA, respectively, and 
98%, 96%, 100% and 91% were anti-HPV 6, anti-HPV 11, anti-HPV 16 and anti-HPV 18 seropositive 
in the IgG LIA, respectively.

Women vaccinated with Silgard at 24-45 years of age in Protocol 019 base study were followed up  in 
an extension study. Ten years after vaccination, 79%, 85%, 94%, and 36% were anti-HPV 6, 
anti-HPV 11, anti-HPV 16 and anti-HPV 18 seropositive in the cLIA, respectively, and 86%, 79%, 
100% and 83% were anti-HPV 6, anti-HPV 11, anti-HPV 16 and anti-HPV 18 seropositive in the IgG 
LIA, respectively.

Men vaccinated with Silgard at 16-26 years of age in Protocol 020 base study were followed up in an 
extension study. Ten years after vaccination, 79%, 80%, 95% and 40% were anti-HPV 6, 
anti-HPV 11, anti-HPV 16 and anti-HPV 18 seropositive in the cLIA, respectively, and 92%, 92%, 
100% and 92% were anti-HPV 6, anti-HPV 11, anti-HPV 16 and anti-HPV 18 seropositive in the IgG 

 

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LIA, respectively.

In these studies, individuals who were seronegative for anti-HPV 6, anti-HPV 11, anti-HPV 16, and 
anti-HPV 18 in the cLIA were still protected against clinical disease after a follow-up of 9 years for 
16-23 year-old women, 10 years for 24-45 year-old women, and 10 years for 16-26 year-old men.

Evidence of Anamnestic (Immune Memory) Response

Evidence of an anamnestic response was seen in vaccinated women who were seropositive to relevant 
HPV type(s) prior to vaccination. In addition, a subset of vaccinated women who received a challenge 
dose of Silgard 5 years after the onset of vaccination, exhibited a rapid and strong anamnestic response 
that exceeded the anti-HPV GMTs observed 1 month Postdose 3. 

HIV-infected subjects

An academic study documenting safety and immunogenicity of Silgard has been performed in 
126 HIV infected subjects aged from 7 to 12 years (of which 96 received Silgard). Seroconversion to 
all four antigens occurred in more than ninety-six percent of the subjects. The GMTs were somewhat 
lower than those reported in non-HIV infected subjects of the same age in other studies. The clinical 
relevance of the lower response is unknown. The safety profile was similar to non-HIV infected 
subjects in other studies. The CD4% or plasma HIV RNA was not affected by vaccination.

Immune Responses to Silgard using a 2-dose schedule in individuals 9-13 years of age

A clinical trial showed that among girls who received 2 doses of HPV vaccine 6 months apart, 
antibody responses to the 4 HPV types, one month after the last dose were non-inferior to those among 
young women who received 3 doses of the vaccine within 6 months.

At Month 7, in the Per Protocol population, the immune response in girls aged 9-13 years (n = 241) 
who received 2 doses of Silgard (at 0, 6 months) was non-inferior and numerically higher to the 
immune response in women aged 16-26 years (n = 246) who received 3 doses of Silgard (at 0, 2, 
6 months).

At 36 month follow-up, the GMT in girls (2 doses, n = 86) remained non-inferior to the GMT in 
women (3 doses, n = 86) for all 4 HPV types.

In the same study, in girls aged 9-13 years, the immune response after a 2-dose schedule was 
numerically lower than after a 3-dose schedule (n = 248 at Month 7; n = 82 at Month 36). The clinical 
relevance of these findings is unknown. A subset of the study participants from the 2-dose group 
(n=50) were followed 5-years post-vaccination (Month 60 Postdose 1). Among the girls receiving 2 
doses of the vaccine, 96%, 100%, 100%, and 84% remained seropositive to anti-HPV 6, anti-HPV 11, 
anti-HPV 16, and anti-HPV 18, respectively, in the cLIA.

Duration of protection of a 2-dose schedule of Silgard has not been established.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Not applicable.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

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

Silgard 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-

 

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related effects on developmental signs, behaviour, reproductive performance, or fertility of the 
offspring.

Silgard 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.

6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Sodium chloride
L-histidine 
Polysorbate 80
Sodium borate
Water for injections

For adjuvant, see section 2.

6.2 Incompatibilities

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

6.3 Shelf life

3 years.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Silgard, suspension for injection:

Store in a refrigerator (2°C - 8°C).

Do not freeze. Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect from light.

Silgard should be administered as soon as possible after being removed from the refrigerator.

Data from stability studies demonstrate that the vaccine components are stable for 72 hours when 
stored at temperatures from 8°C to 42°C. At the end of this period Silgard should be used or discarded. 
These data are intended to guide healthcare professionals in case of temporary temperature excursion 
only.

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

Store in a refrigerator (2°C - 8°C).

Do not freeze. Keep the pre-filled syringe in the outer carton in order to protect from light.

Silgard should be administered as soon as possible after being removed from the refrigerator.

Data from stability studies demonstrate that the vaccine components are stable for 72 hours when 
stored at temperatures from 8°C to 42°C. At the end of this period Silgard should be used or discarded. 
These data are intended to guide healthcare professionals in case of temporary temperature excursion 
only.

 

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6.5 Nature and contents of container

Silgard, suspension for injection:

0.5 ml suspension in a vial (glass) with stopper (FluroTec-coated or Teflon-coated chlorobutyl 
elastomer) and flip-off plastic cap (aluminium crimp band) in a pack size of 1, 10 or 20.

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

0.5 ml suspension in a pre-filled syringe (glass) with plunger stopper (siliconized FluroTec-coated 
bromobutyl elastomer or non-coated chlorobutyl elastomer) and a tip cap (bromobutyl) without needle 
or with one or two needle(s) - pack size of 1, 10 or 20.

Not all pack sizes are marketed.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling

Silgard, suspension for injection:

 Silgard 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.

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

 Silgard 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.

 

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 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.

7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd,
Hertford Road,
Hoddesdon,
Hertfordshire, EN11 9BU
United Kingdom

8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

Silgard, suspension for injection:

EU/1/06/358/001
EU/1/06/358/002
EU/1/06/358/018

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

EU/1/06/358/003
EU/1/06/358/004
EU/1/06/358/005
EU/1/06/358/006
EU/1/06/358/007
EU/1/06/358/008
EU/1/06/358/019
EU/1/06/358/020
EU/1/06/358/021

9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

Date of first authorisation: 20 September 2006
Date of latest renewal: 20 July 2011

10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

{MM/YYYY}

Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines 
Agency http://www.ema.europa.eu.

 

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ANNEX II

A. MANUFACTURERS OF THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVE 
SUBSTANCES AND MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE 
FOR BATCH RELEASE

B. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS REGARDING SUPPLY 
AND USE

C. OTHER CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE 
MARKETING AUTHORISATION

D. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO 
THE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDICINAL 
PRODUCT

 

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A. MANUFACTURERS OF THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVE SUBSTANCES AND 
MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH RELEASE

Name and address of the manufacturers of the biological active substances

Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
Sumneytown Pike
P.O.Box 4
West Point
PA 19486
USA

Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.
2778 South East Side Highway
Elkton
Virginia 22827
USA

Name and address of the manufacturer responsible for batch release

Merck Sharp & Dohme BV
Waarderweg 39
2031 BN Haarlem
The Netherlands

The printed package leaflet of the medicinal product must state the name and address of the 
manufacturer responsible for the release of the concerned batch.

B. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS REGARDING SUPPLY AND USE

Medicinal product subject to medical prescription.

 Official batch release

In accordance with Article 114 of Directive 2001/83/EC, the official batch release will be undertaken 
by a state laboratory or a laboratory designated for that purpose.

C. OTHER CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE MARKETING 
AUTHORISATION

 Periodic Safety Update Reports

The requirement for submission of periodic safety update reports for this medicinal product are 
set out in the list of Union reference dates (EURD list) provided for under Article 107c(7) of 
Directive 2001/83/EC and any subsequent updates published on the European medicines 
web-portal.

 

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D. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE SAFE AND 
EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

 Risk Management Plan (RMP)

The MAH shall perform the required pharmacovigilance activities and interventions detailed in the 
agreed RMP presented in Module 1.8.2 of the Marketing Authorisation and any agreed subsequent 
updates of the RMP.

An updated RMP should be submitted:
 At the request of the European Medicines Agency;
 Whenever the risk management system is modified, especially as the result of new information 

being received that may lead to a significant change to the benefit/risk profile or as the result of 
an important (pharmacovigilance or risk minimisation) milestone being reached.

 

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ANNEX III

LABELLING AND PACKAGE LEAFLET

 

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A. LABELLING

 

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PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING 
OUTER CARTON TEXT
Silgard, suspension for injection – single dose vial, pack of 1, 10, 20

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Silgard, suspension for injection.
Human Papillomavirus Vaccine [Types 6, 11, 16, 18] (Recombinant, adsorbed).

2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S)

1 dose (0.5 ml) contains:
HPV Type 6 L1 protein 20 µg
HPV Type 11 L1 protein 40 µg
HPV Type 16 L1 protein 40 µg 
HPV Type 18 L1 protein 20 µg 

adsorbed on amorphous aluminium hydroxyphosphate sulphate (0.225 mg Al).

3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS

Sodium chloride, L-histidine, polysorbate 80, sodium borate, water for injections.

4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS

Suspension for injection.
1 dose vial, 0.5 ml.
10 single dose vials, 0.5 ml each.
20 single dose vials, 0.5 ml each.

5. METHOD AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION

Intramuscular (IM) use.
Shake well before use.
Read the package leaflet before use.

6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 
OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY

8. EXPIRY DATE

EXP MM/YYYY

 

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9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS

Store in a refrigerator.
Do not freeze. 
Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect from light.

10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE

11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd
Hertford Road, Hoddesdon
Hertfordshire EN11 9BU
United Kingdom

12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S) 

EU/1/06/358/001 – pack of 1
EU/1/06/358/002 – pack of 10
EU/1/06/358/018 – pack of 20

13. BATCH NUMBER

Lot

14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY

15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE

16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE

17. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – 2D BARCODE

2D barcode carrying the unique identifier included.

18. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER - HUMAN READABLE DATA

PC:
SN:
NN:

 

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MINIMUM PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON SMALL IMMEDIATE PACKAGING UNITS
VIAL LABEL TEXT

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION

Silgard, suspension for injection.
IM use.

2. METHOD OF ADMINISTRATION

3. EXPIRY DATE

EXP MM/YYYY

4. BATCH NUMBER

Lot

5. CONTENTS BY WEIGHT, BY VOLUME OR BY UNIT

1 dose, 0.5 ml. 

6. OTHER

Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd

 

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PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING
OUTER CARTON TEXT
Silgard, suspension for injection – pre-filled syringe without needle, pack of 1, 10, 20 

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Silgard, suspension for injection in a pre-filled syringe.
Human Papillomavirus Vaccine [Types 6, 11, 16, 18] (Recombinant, adsorbed).

2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S)

1 dose (0.5 ml) contains:
HPV Type 6 L1 protein 20 µg 
HPV Type 11 L1 protein 40 µg
HPV Type 16 L1 protein 40 µg
HPV Type 18 L1 protein 20 µg

adsorbed on amorphous aluminium hydroxyphosphate sulphate (0.225 mg Al).

3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS

Sodium chloride, L-histidine, polysorbate 80, sodium borate, water for injections.

4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS

Suspension for injection in a pre-filled syringe.
1 dose, 0.5 ml pre-filled syringe without needle.
10 single doses, 0.5 ml pre-filled syringes without needles.
20 single doses, 0.5 ml pre-filled syringes without needles.

5. METHOD AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION

Intramuscular (IM) use.
Shake well before use.
Read the package leaflet before use.

6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 
OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY

8. EXPIRY DATE

EXP MM/YYYY

 

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9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS

Store in a refrigerator.
Do not freeze. 
Keep the syringe in the outer carton in order to protect from light. 

10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE

11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd
Hertford Road, Hoddesdon
Hertfordshire EN11 9BU
United Kingdom

12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S) 

EU/1/06/358/003 – pack of 1
EU/1/06/358/004 – pack of 10
EU/1/06/358/019 – pack of 20

13. BATCH NUMBER

Lot

14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY

15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE

16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE

17. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – 2D BARCODE

2D barcode carrying the unique identifier included.

18. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER - HUMAN READABLE DATA

PC:
SN:
NN:

 

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PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING
OUTER CARTON TEXT
Silgard, suspension for injection – pre-filled syringe with 1 needle, pack of 1, 10, 20

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Silgard, suspension for injection in a pre-filled syringe.
Human Papillomavirus Vaccine [Types 6, 11, 16, 18] (Recombinant, adsorbed).

2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S)

1 dose (0.5 ml) contains:
HPV Type 6 L1 protein 20 µg
HPV Type 11 L1 protein 40 µg
HPV Type 16 L1 protein 40 µg
HPV Type 18 L1 protein 20 µg

adsorbed on amorphous aluminium hydroxyphosphate sulphate (0.225 mg Al).

3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS

Sodium chloride, L-histidine, polysorbate 80, sodium borate, water for injections.

4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS

Suspension for injection in a pre-filled syringe.
1 dose, 0.5 ml pre-filled syringe with 1 needle.
10 single doses, 0.5 ml pre-filled syringes with 1 needle each.
20 single doses, 0.5 ml pre-filled syringes with 1 needle each.

5. METHOD AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION

Intramuscular (IM) use.
Shake well before use.
Read the package leaflet before use.

6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 
OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY

8. EXPIRY DATE

EXP MM/YYYY

 

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9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS

Store in a refrigerator.
Do not freeze. 
Keep the syringe in the outer carton in order to protect from light. 

10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE

11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd
Hertford Road, Hoddesdon
Hertfordshire EN11 9BU
United Kingdom

12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S) 

EU/1/06/358/005 – pack of 1
EU/1/06/358/006 – pack of 10
EU/1/06/358/020 – pack of 20

13. BATCH NUMBER

Lot

14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY

15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE

16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE

17. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – 2D BARCODE

2D barcode carrying the unique identifier included.

18. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER - HUMAN READABLE DATA

PC:
SN:
NN:

 

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PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING
OUTER CARTON TEXT
Silgard, suspension for injection – pre-filled syringe with 2 needles, pack of 1, 10, 20

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Silgard, suspension for injection in a pre-filled syringe.
Human Papillomavirus Vaccine [Types 6, 11, 16, 18] (Recombinant, adsorbed).

2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S)

1 dose (0.5 ml) contains:
HPV Type 6 L1 protein 20 µg
HPV Type 11 L1 protein 40 µg
HPV Type 16 L1 protein 40 µg
HPV Type 18 L1 protein 20 µg

adsorbed on amorphous aluminium hydroxyphosphate sulphate (0.225 mg Al).

3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS

Sodium chloride, L-histidine, polysorbate 80, sodium borate, water for injections.

4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS

Suspension for injection in a pre-filled syringe.
1 dose, 0.5 ml pre-filled syringe with 2 needles.
10 single doses, 0.5 ml pre-filled syringes with 2 needles each.
20 single doses, 0.5 ml pre-filled syringes with 2 needles each.

5. METHOD AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION

Intramuscular (IM) use.
Shake well before use.
Read the package leaflet before use.

6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 
OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY

8. EXPIRY DATE

EXP MM/YYYY

 

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9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS

Store in a refrigerator.
Do not freeze. 
Keep the syringe in the outer carton in order to protect from light. 

10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE

11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd
Hertford Road, Hoddesdon
Hertfordshire EN11 9BU
United Kingdom

12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S) 

EU/1/06/358/007 – pack of 1
EU/1/06/358/008 – pack of 10
EU/1/06/358/021 – pack of 20

13. BATCH NUMBER

Lot

14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY

15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE

16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE

17. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – 2D BARCODE

2D barcode carrying the unique identifier included.

18. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER - HUMAN READABLE DATA

PC:
SN:
NN:

 

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MINIMUM PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON SMALL IMMEDIATE PACKAGING UNITS
Pre-filled syringe label text

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION

Silgard, suspension for injection in a pre-filled syringe.

IM use.

2. METHOD OF ADMINISTRATION

3. EXPIRY DATE

EXP MM/YYYY

4. BATCH NUMBER

Lot

5. CONTENTS BY WEIGHT, BY VOLUME OR BY UNIT

1 dose, 0.5 ml.

6. OTHER

Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd

 

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B. PACKAGE LEAFLET
(VIAL)

 

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Package leaflet: Information for the user

Silgard, suspension for injection
Human Papillomavirus Vaccine [Types 6, 11, 16, 18] (Recombinant, adsorbed)

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you or your child are vaccinated.

- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, please ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, 

please tell your doctor or pharmacist. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet

1. What Silgard is and what it is used for 
2. What you need to know before you receive Silgard
3. How Silgard is given
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Silgard
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Silgard is and what it is used for

Silgard is a vaccine. Vaccination with Silgard is intended to protect against diseases caused by Human 
Papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, and 18. 

These diseases include pre-cancerous lesions of the female genitals (cervix, vulva, and vagina); pre-
cancerous lesions of the anus and genital warts in males and females; cervical and anal cancers. HPV
types 16 and 18 are responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancer cases, 75-80% of anal 
cancer cases; 70% of HPV-related pre-cancerous lesions of the vulva and vagina; 75% of HPV related 
pre-cancerous lesions of the anus. HPV types 6 and 11 are responsible for approximately 90% of
genital wart cases. 

Silgard is intended to prevent these diseases. The vaccine is not used to treat HPV related diseases. 
Silgard does not have any effect in individuals who already have a persistent infection or disease 
associated with any of the HPV types in the vaccine. However, in individuals who are already infected 
with one or more of the vaccine HPV types, Silgard can still protect against diseases associated with 
the other HPV types in the vaccine.

Silgard cannot cause the diseases it protects against.

Silgard produces type-specific antibodies and has been shown in clinical trials to prevent HPV 6-, 11-, 
16-, and 18-related diseases in women 16-45 years of age and in men 16-26 years of age. The vaccine 
also produces type-specific antibodies in 9- to 15-year-old children and adolescents. 

Silgard should be used in accordance with official guidelines.

2. What you need to know before you receive Silgard

Do not receive Silgard if:
 you or your child is allergic (hypersensitive) to any of the active substances or any of the other 

ingredients of Silgard (listed under “other ingredients”– see section 6).
 you or your child developed an allergic reaction after receiving a dose of Silgard. 
 you or your child suffer from an illness with high fever. However, a mild fever or upper 

respiratory infection (for example cold) itself is not a reason to delay vaccination.

 

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Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before vaccination if you or your child
 has a bleeding disorder (a disease that makes you bleed more than normal), for example 

haemophilia 
 has a weakened immune system, for example due to a genetic defect, HIV infection or 

medicines that affect the immune system.

Fainting, sometimes accompanied by falling, can occur (mostly in adolescents) following any needle 
injection. Therefore tell the doctor or nurse if you fainted with a previous injection.

As with any vaccine, Silgard may not fully protect 100% of those who get the vaccine.

Silgard will not protect against every type of Human Papillomavirus. Therefore appropriate 
precautions against sexually transmitted disease should continue to be used.

Silgard will not protect against other diseases that are not caused by Human Papillomavirus.

Vaccination is not a substitute for routine cervical screening. You should continue to follow your 
doctor’s advice on cervical smear/Pap tests and preventative and protective measures.

What other important information should you or your child know about Silgard

The duration of protection is currently unknown. Longer term follow-up studies are ongoing to 
determine whether a booster dose is needed. 

Other medicines or vaccines and Silgard
Silgard can be given with a Hepatitis B vaccine or with a combined booster vaccine containing 
diphtheria (d) and tetanus (T) with either pertussis [acellular, component] (ap) and/or poliomyelitis 
[inactivated] (IPV) (dTap, dT-IPV, dTap-IPV vaccines) at a separate injection site (another part of 
your body, e.g. the other arm or leg) during the same visit.

Silgard may not have an optimal effect if:
 used with medicines that suppress the immune system.

In clinical trials, oral or other contraceptives (e.g. the pill) did not reduce the protection obtained by 
Silgard.

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you or your child are taking or have taken recently any other 
medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask 
your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
Silgard may be given to women who are breast-feeding or intend to breast-feed.

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

3. How Silgard is given

Silgard is given as an injection by your doctor. Silgard is intended for adolescents and adults from 
9 years of age onwards.

 

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If you are from 9 to and including 13 years of age
Silgard can be administered according to a 2-dose schedule:
 First injection: at chosen date
 Second injection: 6 months after first injection
If the second vaccine dose is administered earlier than 6 months after the first dose, a third dose should 
always be administered.

Alternatively, Silgard can be administered according to a 3-dose schedule:
 First injection: at chosen date
 Second injection: 2 months after first injection
 Third injection: 6 months after first injection
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. Please speak to your doctor for more information.

If you are from 14 years of age
Silgard should be administered according to a 3-dose schedule:
 First injection: at chosen date
 Second injection: 2 months after first injection
 Third injection: 6 months after first injection
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. Please speak to your doctor for more information.

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

Silgard will be given as an injection through the skin into the muscle (preferably the muscle of the 
upper arm or thigh).

The vaccine should not be mixed in the same syringe with any other vaccines and solutions.

If you forget one dose of Silgard:

If you miss a scheduled injection, your doctor will decide when to give the missed dose.
It is important that you follow the instructions of your doctor or nurse regarding return visits for the 
follow-up doses. If you forget or are not able to go back to your doctor at the scheduled time, ask your 
doctor for advice. When Silgard is given as your first dose, the completion of the vaccination course 
should be done with Silgard, and not with another HPV vaccine.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all vaccines and medicines, Silgard can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

The following side effects can be seen after the use of Silgard:

Very commonly (more than 1 in 10 patients), side effects found at the injection site include: pain, 
swelling and redness. Headache was also seen.

Commonly (more than 1 in 100 patients), side effects found at the injection site include: bruising, 
itching, pain in extremity. Fever and nausea have also been reported.

Rarely (less than 1 in 1000 patients): hives (urticaria).

 

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Very rarely (less than 1 in 10,000 patients), difficulty breathing (bronchospasm) has been reported.

When Silgard was given with a combined diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis [acellular, component] and 
poliomyelitis [inactivated] booster vaccine during the same visit, there was more headache and 
injection-site swelling. 

Side effects that have been reported during marketed use include:

Fainting, sometimes accompanied by shaking or stiffening, has been reported. Although fainting 
episodes are uncommon, patients should be observed for 15 minutes after they receive HPV vaccine.

Allergic reactions that may include difficulty breathing, wheezing (bronchospasm), hives and rash 
have been reported. Some of these reactions have been severe.

As with other vaccines, side effects that have been reported during general use include: swollen glands 
(neck, armpit, or groin); muscle weakness, abnormal sensations, tingling in the arms, legs and upper 
body, or confusion (Guillain-Barré Syndrome, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis); dizziness,
vomiting, joint pain, aching muscles, unusual tiredness or weakness, chills, generally feeling unwell, 
bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, and skin infection at the injection site.

Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects 
not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system 
listed in Appendix V. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of 
this medicine.

5. How to store Silgard

Keep this vaccine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this vaccine after the expiry date which is stated on the vial label and the outer carton (after 
EXP). The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Store in a refrigerator (2ºC - 8ºC).
Do not freeze.
Keep the vial in the outer carton in order to protect from light.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to 
throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Silgard contains
The active substances are: highly purified non-infectious protein for each of the Human 
Papillomavirus types (6, 11, 16, and 18).

1 dose (0.5 ml) contains approximately:

Human Papillomavirus1 Type 6 L1 protein2,3 20 micrograms
Human Papillomavirus1 Type 11 L1 protein2,3 40 micrograms
Human Papillomavirus1 Type 16 L1 protein2,3 40 micrograms
Human Papillomavirus1 Type 18 L1 protein2,3 20 micrograms

1Human Papillomavirus = HPV
2L1 protein in the form of virus like particles produced in yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae
CANADE 3C-5 (Strain 1895)) by recombinant DNA technology.

 

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41

3adsorbed on amorphous aluminium hydroxyphosphate sulphate adjuvant (0.225 milligrams Al).

The other ingredients in the vaccine suspension are:

Sodium chloride, L-histidine, polysorbate 80, sodium borate and water for injections.

What Silgard looks like and contents of the pack
1 dose of Silgard suspension for injection contains 0.5 ml.

Prior to agitation, Silgard may appear as a clear liquid with a white precipitate. After thorough 
agitation, it is a white, cloudy liquid. 

Silgard is available in packs of 1, 10 or 20 vials.

Not all pack sizes are marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

Marketing Authorisation Holder
Merck Sharp and Dohme Ltd
Hertford Road, Hoddesdon
Hertfordshire EN11 9BU
United Kingdom

Manufacturer
Merck Sharp & Dohme BV
Waarderweg 39
2031 BN Haarlem
The Netherlands

For any information about this medicinal product, please contact the local representative of the 
Marketing Authorisation Holder.

België/Belgique/Belgien
MSD Belgium BVBA/SPRL
Tél/Tel: +32(0)27766211
dpoc_belux@merck.com

Lietuva
UAB Merck Sharp & Dohme
Tel. + 370 5 278 02 47
msd_lietuva@merck.com

България
Мерк Шарп и Доум България ЕООД
Тел.: +359 2 819 3737
info-msdbg@merck.com

Luxembourg/Luxemburg
MSD Belgium BVBA/SPRL
Tél/Tel: +32(0)27766211
dpoc_belux@merck.com

Česká republika
Merck Sharp & Dohme s.r.o.
Tel: +420 233 010 111 
dpoc_czechslovak@merck.com

Magyarország
MSD Pharma Hungary Kft.
Tel.: +36 1 888 5300
hungary_msd@merck.com

Danmark
MSD Danmark ApS
Tlf: + 45 4482 4000
dkmail@merck.com

Malta
Merck Sharp & Dohme Cyprus Limited
Tel: 8007 4433 (+356 99917558)
malta_info@merck.com

 

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42

Deutschland
MSD SHARP & DOHME GMBH
Tel: 0800 673 673 673 (+49 (0) 89 4561 2612)
e-mail@msd.de

Nederland
Merck Sharp & Dohme BV
Tel: 0800 9999000 
(+31 23 5153153)
medicalinfo.nl@merck.com

Eesti
Merck Sharp & Dohme OÜ
Tel.: +372 6144 200
msdeesti@merck.com

Norge
MSD (Norge) AS
Tlf: +47 32 20 73 00
msdnorge@msd.no

Ελλάδα
MSD Α.Φ.Β.Ε.Ε.
Τηλ: +30 210 98 97 300
dpoc_greece@merck.com

Österreich
Merck Sharp & Dohme Ges.m.b.H.
Tel: +43 (0) 1 26 044
msd-medizin@merck.com

España
Merck Sharp & Dohme de España, S.A.
Tel: +34 91 321 06 00
msd_info@merck.com

Polska
MSD Polska Sp. z o.o.
Tel: +48 22 549 51 00
msdpolska@merck.com

France
MSD France
Tél: + 33 (0) 1 80 46 40 40

Portugal
Merck Sharp & Dohme, Lda
Tel: +351 21 4465700
clic@merck.com

Hrvatska
Merck Sharp & Dohme d.o.o. 
Tel: + 385 1 6611 333
croatia_info@merck.com

România
Merck Sharp & Dohme Romania S.R.L.
Tel: +40 21 529 29 00
msdromania@merck.com

Ireland
Merck Sharp & Dohme Ireland (Human Health) 
Limited
Tel: +353 (0)1 2998700
medinfo_ireland@merck.com

Slovenija
Merck Sharp & Dohme, inovativna zdravila d.o.o.
Tel: +386 1 5204 201
msd.slovenia@merck.com

Ísland
MSD Danmark ApS
Tlf: + 45 4482 4000
dkmail@merck.com

Slovenská republika
Merck Sharp & Dohme, s. r. o.
Tel: +421 2 58282010
dpoc_czechslovak@merck.com

Italia
MSD Italia S.r.l. 
Tel: +39 06 361911
medicalinformation.it@merck.com

Suomi/Finland
MSD Finland Oy
Puh/Tel: +358 (0)9 804 650
info@msd.fi

Κύπρος
Merck Sharp & Dohme Cyprus Limited
Τηλ.: 800 00 673 (+357 22866700)
cyprus_info@merck.com

Sverige
Merck Sharp & Dohme (Sweden) AB
Tel: +46 77 5700488
medicinskinfo@merck.com

Latvija
SIA Merck Sharp & Dohme Latvija
Tel: + 371 67364224
msd_lv@merck.com

United Kingdom
Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited
Tel: +44 (0) 1992 467272
medicalinformationuk@merck.com

 

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43

This leaflet was last revised in {MM/YYYY}.

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency web site: 
http://www.ema.europa.eu.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following information is intended for medical or healthcare professionals only:

The vaccine should be used as supplied; no dilution or reconstitution is necessary. The full 
recommended dose of the vaccine should be used. Any unused product or waste material should be 
disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

Shake well before use. Thorough agitation immediately before administration is necessary to maintain 
suspension of the vaccine. 

Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discolouration prior to 
administration. Discard the product if particulates are present or if it appears discoloured.

 

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44

B. PACKAGE LEAFLET
(PREFILLED SYRINGE)

 

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45

PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER

Silgard, suspension for injection in a pre-filled syringe
Human Papillomavirus Vaccine [Types 6, 11, 16, 18] (Recombinant, adsorbed)

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you or your child are vaccinated.

- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, please ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, 

please tell your doctor or pharmacist. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet

1. What Silgard is and what it is used for 
2. What you need to know before you receive Silgard
3. How Silgard is given
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Silgard
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Silgard is and what it is used for

Silgard is a vaccine. Vaccination with Silgard is intended to protect against diseases caused by Human 
Papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, and 18. 

These diseases include pre-cancerous lesions of the female genitals (cervix, vulva, and vagina); pre-
cancerous lesions of the anus and genital warts in males and females; cervical and anal cancers. HPV
types 16 and 18 are responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancer cases, 75-80% of anal 
cancer cases; 70% of HPV-related pre-cancerous lesions of the vulva and vagina; 75% of HPV related 
pre-cancerous lesions of the anus. HPV types 6 and 11 are responsible for approximately 90% of
genital wart cases. 

Silgard is intended to prevent these diseases. The vaccine is not used to treat HPV related diseases. 
Silgard does not have any effect in individuals who already have a persistent infection or disease 
associated with any of the HPV types in the vaccine. However, in individuals who are already infected 
with one or more of the vaccine HPV types, Silgard can still protect against diseases associated with 
the other HPV types in the vaccine.

Silgard cannot cause the diseases it protects against.

Silgard produces type-specific antibodies and has been shown in clinical trials to prevent HPV 6-, 11-, 
16-, and 18-related diseases in women 16-45 years of age and in men 16-26 years of age. The vaccine 
also produces type-specific antibodies in 9- to 15-year-old children and adolescents. 

Silgard should be used in accordance with official guidelines.

2. What you need to know before you receive Silgard

Do not receive Silgard if:
 you or your child is allergic (hypersensitive) to any of the active substances or any of the other 

ingredients of Silgard (listed under “other ingredients”– see section 6).
 you or your child developed an allergic reaction after receiving a dose of Silgard. 
 you or your child suffer from an illness with high fever. However, a mild fever or upper 

respiratory infection (for example cold) itself is not a reason to delay vaccination.

 

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46

Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before vaccination if you or your child
 has a bleeding disorder (a disease that makes you bleed more than normal), for example 

haemophilia 
 has a weakened immune system, for example due to a genetic defect, HIV infection or 

medicines that affect the immune system. 

Fainting, sometimes accompanied by falling, can occur (mostly in adolescents) following any needle 
injection. Therefore tell the doctor or nurse if you fainted with a previous injection.

As with any vaccine, Silgard may not fully protect 100% of those who get the vaccine.

Silgard will not protect against every type of Human Papillomavirus. Therefore appropriate 
precautions against sexually transmitted disease should continue to be used.

Silgard will not protect against other diseases that are not caused by Human Papillomavirus.

Vaccination is not a substitute for routine cervical screening. You should continue to follow your 
doctor’s advice on cervical smear/Pap tests and preventative and protective measures.

What other important information should you or your child know about Silgard

The duration of protection is currently unknown. Longer term follow-up studies are ongoing to 
determine whether a booster dose is needed. 

Other medicines or vaccines and Silgard
Silgard can be given with a Hepatitis B vaccine or with a combined booster vaccine containing 
diphtheria (d) and tetanus (T) with either pertussis [acellular, component] (ap) and/or poliomyelitis 
[inactivated] (IPV) (dTap, dT-IPV, dTap-IPV vaccines) at a separate injection site (another part of 
your body, e.g. the other arm or leg) during the same visit.

Silgard may not have an optimal effect if:
 used with medicines that suppress the immune system.

In clinical trials, oral or other contraceptives (e.g. the pill) did not reduce the protection obtained by 
Silgard.

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you or your child are taking or have taken recently any other 
medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask 
your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
Silgard may be given to women who are breast-feeding or intend to breast-feed.

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

3. How Silgard is given

Silgard is given as an injection by your doctor. Silgard is intended for adolescents and adults from 
9 years of age onwards.

 

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47

If you are from 9 to and including 13 years of age
Silgard can be administered according to a 2-dose schedule:
 First injection: at chosen date
 Second injection: 6 months after first injection
If the second vaccine dose is administered earlier than 6 months after the first dose, a third dose should 
always be administered.

Alternatively, Silgard can be administered according to a 3-dose schedule:
 First injection: at chosen date
 Second injection: 2 months after first injection
 Third injection: 6 months after first injection
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. Please speak to your doctor for more information.

If you are from 14 years of age
Silgard should be administered according to a 3-dose schedule:
 First injection: at chosen date
 Second injection: 2 months after first injection
 Third injection: 6 months after first injection
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. Please speak to your doctor for more information.

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

Silgard will be given as an injection through the skin into the muscle (preferably the muscle of the 
upper arm or thigh).

The vaccine should not be mixed in the same syringe with any other vaccines and solutions.

If you forget one dose of Silgard:

If you miss a scheduled injection, your doctor will decide when to give the missed dose.
It is important that you follow the instructions of your doctor or nurse regarding return visits for the 
follow-up doses. If you forget or are not able to go back to your doctor at the scheduled time, ask your 
doctor for advice. When Silgard is given as your first dose, the completion of the vaccination course 
should be done with Silgard, and not with another HPV vaccine.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all vaccines and medicines, Silgard can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

The following side effects can be seen after the use of Silgard:

Very commonly (more than 1 in 10 patients), side effects found at the injection site include: pain, 
swelling and redness. Headache was also seen.

Commonly (more than 1 in 100 patients), side effects found at the injection site include: bruising, 
itching, pain in extremity. Fever and nausea have also been reported. 

Rarely (less than 1 in 1000 patients): hives (urticaria).

 

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48

Very rarely (less than 1 in 10,000 patients), difficulty breathing (bronchospasm) has been reported.

When Silgard was given with a combined diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis [acellular, component] and 
poliomyelitis [inactivated] booster vaccine during the same visit, there was more headache and 
injection-site swelling. 

Side effects that have been reported during marketed use include:

Fainting, sometimes accompanied by shaking or stiffening, has been reported. Although fainting 
episodes are uncommon, patients should be observed for 15 minutes after they receive HPV vaccine.

Allergic reactions that may include difficulty breathing, wheezing (bronchospasm), hives and rash 
have been reported. Some of these reactions have been severe.

As with other vaccines, side effects that have been reported during general use include: swollen glands 
(neck, armpit, or groin); muscle weakness, abnormal sensations, tingling in the arms, legs and upper 
body, or confusion (Guillain-Barré Syndrome, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis); dizziness,
vomiting, joint pain, aching muscles, unusual tiredness or weakness, chills, generally feeling unwell, 
bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, and skin infection at the injection site.

Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects 
not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system 
listed in Appendix V. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of 
this medicine.

5. How to store Silgard

Keep this vaccine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this vaccine after the expiry date which is stated on the syringe label and the outer carton 
(after EXP). The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Store in a refrigerator (2ºC - 8ºC).
Do not freeze. 
Keep the syringe in the outer carton in order to protect from light.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to 
throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Silgard contains
The active substances are: highly purified non-infectious protein for each of the Human 
Papillomavirus types (6, 11, 16, and 18).

1 dose (0.5 ml) contains approximately:

Human Papillomavirus1 Type 6 L1 protein2,3 20 micrograms
Human Papillomavirus1 Type 11 L1 protein2,3 40 micrograms
Human Papillomavirus1 Type 16 L1 protein2,3 40 micrograms
Human Papillomavirus1 Type 18 L1 protein2,3 20 micrograms

1Human Papillomavirus = HPV
2L1 protein in the form of virus like particles produced in yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae
CANADE 3C-5 (Strain 1895)) by recombinant DNA technology.

 

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49

3adsorbed on amorphous aluminium hydroxyphosphate sulphate adjuvant (0.225 milligrams Al).

The other ingredients in the vaccine suspension are:

Sodium chloride, L-histidine, polysorbate 80, sodium borate and water for injections.

What Silgard looks like and contents of the pack
1 dose of Silgard suspension for injection contains 0.5 ml.

Prior to agitation, Silgard may appear as a clear liquid with a white precipitate. After thorough 
agitation, it is a white, cloudy liquid. 

Silgard is available in packs of 1, 10 or 20 pre-filled syringes.

Not all pack sizes are marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

Marketing Authorisation Holder
Merck Sharp and Dohme Ltd
Hertford Road, Hoddesdon
Hertfordshire EN11 9BU
United Kingdom

Manufacturer
Merck Sharp & Dohme BV
Waarderweg 39
2031 BN Haarlem
The Netherlands

For any information about this medicinal product, please contact the local representative of the 
Marketing Authorisation Holder.

België/Belgique/Belgien
MSD Belgium BVBA/SPRL
Tél/Tel: +32(0)27766211
dpoc_belux@merck.com

Lietuva
UAB Merck Sharp & Dohme
Tel. + 370 5 278 02 47
msd_lietuva@merck.com

България
Мерк Шарп и Доум България ЕООД
Тел.: +359 2 819 3737
info-msdbg@merck.com

Luxembourg/Luxemburg
MSD Belgium BVBA/SPRL
Tél/Tel: +32(0)27766211
dpoc_belux@merck.com

Česká republika
Merck Sharp & Dohme s.r.o.
Tel: +420 233 010 111 
dpoc_czechslovak@merck.com

Magyarország
MSD Pharma Hungary Kft.
Tel.: +36 1 888 5300
hungary_msd@merck.com

Danmark
MSD Danmark ApS
Tlf: + 45 4482 4000
dkmail@merck.com

Malta
Merck Sharp & Dohme Cyprus Limited
Tel: 8007 4433 (+356 99917558)
malta_info@merck.com

 

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50

Deutschland
MSD SHARP & DOHME GMBH
Tel: 0800 673 673 673 (+49 (0) 89 4561 2612)
e-mail@msd.de

Nederland
Merck Sharp & Dohme BV
Tel: 0800 9999000 
(+31 23 5153153)
medicalinfo.nl@merck.com

Eesti
Merck Sharp & Dohme OÜ
Tel.: +372 6144 200
msdeesti@merck.com

Norge
MSD (Norge) AS
Tlf: +47 32 20 73 00
msdnorge@msd.no

Ελλάδα
MSD Α.Φ.Β.Ε.Ε.
Τηλ: +30 210 98 97 300
dpoc_greece@merck.com

Österreich
Merck Sharp & Dohme Ges.m.b.H.
Tel: +43 (0) 1 26 044
msd-medizin@merck.com

España
Merck Sharp & Dohme de España, S.A.
Tel: +34 91 321 06 00
msd_info@merck.com

Polska
MSD Polska Sp. z o.o.
Tel: +48 22 549 51 00
msdpolska@merck.com

France
MSD France
Tél: + 33 (0) 1 80 46 40 40

Portugal
Merck Sharp & Dohme, Lda
Tel: +351 21 4465700
clic@merck.com

Hrvatska
Merck Sharp & Dohme d.o.o. 
Tel: + 385 1 6611 333
croatia_info@merck.com

România
Merck Sharp & Dohme Romania S.R.L.
Tel: +40 21 529 29 00
msdromania@merck.com

Ireland
Merck Sharp & Dohme Ireland (Human Health) 
Limited
Tel: +353 (0)1 2998700
medinfo_ireland@merck.com

Slovenija
Merck Sharp & Dohme, inovativna zdravila d.o.o.
Tel: +386 1 5204 201
msd.slovenia@merck.com

Ísland
MSD Danmark ApS
Tlf: + 45 4482 4000
dkmail@merck.com

Slovenská republika
Merck Sharp & Dohme, s. r. o.
Tel: +421 2 58282010
dpoc_czechslovak@merck.com

Italia
MSD Italia S.r.l. 
Tel: +39 06 361911
medicalinformation.it@merck.com

Suomi/Finland
MSD Finland Oy
Puh/Tel: +358 (0)9 804 650
info@msd.fi

Κύπρος
Merck Sharp & Dohme Cyprus Limited
Τηλ.: 800 00 673 (+357 22866700)
cyprus_info@merck.com

Sverige
Merck Sharp & Dohme (Sweden) AB
Tel: +46 77 5700488
medicinskinfo@merck.com

Latvija
SIA Merck Sharp & Dohme Latvija
Tel: + 371 67364224
msd_lv@merck.com

United Kingdom
Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited
Tel: +44 (0) 1992 467272
medicalinformationuk@merck.com

 

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51

This leaflet was last revised in {MM/YYYY}.

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency web site: 
http://www.ema.europa.eu.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following information is intended for medical or healthcare professionals only:

 Silgard is available in a pre-filled syringe ready to use for intramuscular injection (IM), 
preferably in the deltoid area of the upper arm. 

 If 2 needles of different lengths are provided in the pack, choose the appropriate needle to ensure 
an IM administration depending on your patient’s size and weight. 

 Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discolouration 
prior to administration. Discard the product if particulates are present or if it appears 
discoloured. Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with 
local requirements.

Shake well before use. 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.

 

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	SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
	A. MANUFACTURERS OF THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVE SUBSTANCES AND MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH RELEASE
	B. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS REGARDING SUPPLY AND USE
	C. OTHER CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION
	D. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
	A. LABELLING
	B. PACKAGE LEAFLET
	B. PACKAGE LEAFLET