A vaccine effective against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) can prevent cervical cancer related to HPV infection.

The vaccine, known as GARDASIL, is highly effective against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. HPV types 16 and 18 cause about 70% of HPV-related cervical cancer cases. HPV types 6 and 11 cause about 90% of genital wart cases.

Full protection requires a course of three injections.

Gardasil is a prophylactic HPV vaccine, meaning that it is designed to prevent the initial establishment of HPV infections. Women already infected with one or more of the 4 HPV types targeted by the vaccine (6, 11, 16, or 18) are protected by the vaccine from clinical disease caused by the remaining HPV types.

For maximum efficacy, it is recommended that girls receive the vaccine prior to becoming sexually active.

Since Gardasil will not block all HPV types that can cause cervical cancer, the vaccine should not be considered a substitute for routine cervical smears.

Side effects are mild (eg. redness at injection site, fever).