Australian women have for the first time been injected with a world-first vaccine protecting them against most cervical cancers.Designed by Australian of the Year Ian Frazer, Gardasil halts the spread of sexually-transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV), which causes 70 per cent of cervical cancer.
The vaccine also protects against two types of HPV that cause genital warts, and is available for girls aged nine to 26 through doctors from today.
At the moment it costs $450 for three doses taken over six months. However, Australia's, Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee will decide if to add the vaccine to the national immunisation program.
The Sydney Morning Herald (AAP) reports the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has also approved the medication for use on boys aged nine to 15 to halt the spread of the virus, spread through sex.
However, the vaccine's Australian manufacturer CSL, has only applied to have the vaccine available free to all females aged 12 to 26 because trials on boys are not complete.
