A federal advisory panel is recommending that a new vaccine for human papilloma virus (HPV) be routinely given to girls aged 11-12. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices also said the vaccine, called Gardasil, may be given to girls as young as 9, if doctors think it's necessary.

Gardasil, made by Merck, was approved earlier this month by the US Food and Drug Administration. It protects against 2 strains of HPV that are responsible for about 70% of cases of cervical cancer, and also some cases of vaginal, vulvar, penile, and anal cancers. The vaccine also targets 2 other HPV strains responsible for 90% of genital warts cases.

The committee's action "represents another critical step toward preventing cervical cancer and saving the lives of women in this country and around the world," said Debbie Saslow, PhD, director of breast and gynecologic cancers at the American Cancer Society. "The Society encourages widespread vaccination to protect adolescent girls from the 2 most common cancer-causing types of HPV."