HPV vaccine side effects include allergic reactions, which could be life-threatening (anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock), pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, headaches, fainting, jerking or staring movements, high fever (above 102 degrees F), Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), blood clots, and death.
Human Papillomavirus or HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). It is a different virus than HIV or HSV (herpes) and it is so common that nearly all sexually active men and women get it at some point in their lives. There are many different types of HPV. Some types can cause health problems including genital warts and cancers. HPV can be passed even when an infected person has no signs or symptoms. Read the CDC HPV fact sheet. The HPV vaccine is a newer vaccine, and there is an ongoing dispute as to its efficacy. See, for instance, Katie Couric’s article and this article by Dr. Mercola.