Girls of 12 will get cancer jab from next year

The routine jab could cut the number of deaths from the disease by three-quarters and reduce the need for smear tests.

However, some campaigners say the scheme sends out the 'wrong signal' to children and could encourage young girls to become sexually active.

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The cervical cancer jab is expected to win the approval of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation on Wednesday.

It is likely to recommend that every girl be protected against the human papilloma virus in their first year of secondary school and call for a 'catch-up' programme of jabs for girls aged 12 to 16.

Around 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year in Britain, while 1,000 are killed by the disease. Scientists believe that cancer cases will fall by around 61 per cent even if only 80 per cent of girls are vaccinated.

Most cases of the disease are caused by the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus (HPV).

Two vaccines have been developed to protect against HPV - Gardasil and Cervarix. Both cost around £300 and are given in three doses over six months.

Gardasil protects against four strains of the virus while Cervarix protects against two.

Although the vaccines can be given to boys to stop them passing the virus on sexually, advisors on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation are likely to restrict it to girls because of the cost. The Mumps, Measles and Rubella jab costs just £20.

Although girls and their parents will be encouraged to take up the offer of the free vaccine, the scheme - like all vaccinations - will be voluntary. However, most of the 350,000 eligible girls are expected to be given the jab.

The committee had considered giving the vaccine to girls as young as nine.

However they changed their minds after early research found parents were unhappy giving a jab against a sexually transmitted virus to primary school children.

There are also expected to be concerns about the number of vaccines children are now given. They already get at least seven jabs by the age of 12.

In America, where vaccination against HPV has been introduced in some states, religious groups have claimed it encourages girls to have unprotected sex.

Dr Syed Ahmed, a committee member, said the vast majority of parents were in favour of the vaccine.

"I don't think girls are thinking about cancer when they decide whether or not to have sex," he said. "They are more concerned about becoming pregnant or catching chlamydia or gonorrhoea."

The committee has found little evidence of side effects. Although a full immunisation programme would cost around £100 million, the experts say the costs are outweighed by the savings from not having to treat so many people with cervical cancer.

The National Family Campaign has questioned the wisdom of giving a vaccine against a sexually transmitted disease to girls aged 12.

Hugh McKinney, the campaign's spokesman, believes it could seen as encouraging sexual behaviour before girls are physically or mentally mature.

Although the decision is expected to be made this week, the announcement could be delayed until later in the summer. The final ruling about the scheme will be made by the Department of Health.

A spokesman for the Department of Health said the vaccine would be discussed at a meeting on Wednesday.

"Once we have their recommendations, it is up to the Department of Health to make the final decision," he added.