Dr Darina O'Flanagan of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) said the manner in which the vaccine is administered was still being considered, but it was likely to be given to girls around the age of 12.

In the US, where the vaccine is already administered from the age of nine upwards, some parents' groups have complained that this is encouraging children to engage in sexual activity.

"I would hope that it will be seen in a much more positive light here, as preventing an avoidable fatality from a terrible disease, " O'Flanagan told the Sunday Tribune.

Currently in Ireland, 70 women die from cervical cancer every year. It has been reported that the vaccine will be available here later this year, but according to O'Flanagan, it is unlikely to be rolled out until 2007. "There are a number of potential vaccines in the system at the moment and they all have to be fitted into a schedule, " she said. These include the new menengitis, chicken pox and hepatitis B vaccines.

The cervical cancer vaccine is estimated to cost approximately 300. "We're not exactly sure of the price yet, but it looks like it will be a lot more expensive than other vaccines, " said Niall Behan of the Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA). "In this case, it should certainly be made available on the medical card."