A vaccine that combats cervical cancer is to go on sale in a few weeks' time.
Gardasil has been 100% effective in combatting the two leading strains of the virus that trigger most cervical cancers . This decision by the European medicines watchdog is likely to heighten the pressure for a nationwide vaccination programme to be introduced by the end of 2006.
3,000 women are diagnosed as having cervical cancer each year, with most of getting it from infection by the human papilloma virus, or HPV.
Experts would like all women aged between 9 and 55 to be vaccinated against the disease, with teenagers being vaccinated at school .
A programme like this could decrease the need for smear tests, cutting the incidence of this cancer, which kills a thousand British women every year.
Scientists consider that the jabs should be given to girls prior to them becoming sexually active in order to maximise the level of their protection.
Boys may even be vaccinated to prevent the infection spreading, however, more data is necessary prior to the drug being approved for them.
The vaccine is likely to cost £60 per dose, with patients needing three doses for a full treatment.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health stated that research suggests that the vaccines provide real benefit.
