CERVICAL cancer vaccine Gardasil became available for the first time in the UK yesterday.
Girls inoculated before they become sexually active have a massively reduced risk of developing the condition later, trials have demonstrated.
More than 100,000 doses will be available at first.
The drug is licensed but the NHS is waiting for the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation for guidance.
The Health Department said: "No decisions will be taken on introducing the vaccines into the immunisation programme until the JCVI presents recommendations to ministers."