Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
WASHINGTON - Women for the first time have a vaccine to protect themselves against cervical cancer.
The Food and Drug Administration yesterday approved use of the vaccine, Gardasil, for use in females ages 9 to 26.
It prevents infection by four strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV, the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease.
This cancer kills 3,700 women each year in the United States and hundreds of thousands more worldwide.
Acting FDA Administrator Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach said the vaccine will have "a dramatic effect" on the health of women around the world, adding it appeared very safe.
Copyright 2004 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
