Following a favorable review by the FDA Advisory Panel, the US FDA has finally approved Gardasil, the world's first and only cervical cancer vaccine. The recombinant vaccine has been demonstrated to prevent cervical cancers caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18, and other sexually transmitted diseases such as precancerous lesions and genital warts due to HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18.

Gardasil has been approved for 9-26 year old girls and women. Whether the vaccine will be implemented as a routine still depends on the endorsement of national Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which will meet later this month. Gardasil immunization consists of a series of three shots, which costs a total of about $360.

For more information, see Merck's press release and the AP news report and video (requires Internet Explorer 6).