Now girls aged NINE are offered cervical cancer jab

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Dozens of private clinics are offering girls as young as nine a vaccine to protect them from a sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer.

Gardasil has been hailed as a breakthrough against the human papillomavirus (HPV) which could help cut up to 1,000 deaths a year from the disease.

The Department of Health is backing an annual programme of vaccination for girls aged 11 to 13 through school clinics, but it will not start until next September.

Parents who do not want to wait can buy the vaccine, which is licensed for girls over nine, at around £500 for three jabs.

But some critics argue that treating young girls with the vaccine might encourage under-age sex.

Stephen Green of Christian Voice said: "Anyone giving this drug to a girl is telling her, 'I think you are a slag'.

"The best way of not getting cervical cancer and genital warts is to stay a virgin and marry a virgin.

"The message is one of despair, disrespect and low expectations.

"It is also irresponsible and will raise promiscuity, teenage pregnancy and, worst of all, infertility.

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Health officials say the aim of the vaccine is to protect children before they become sexually active

"No one will warn young women that they are not protected against chlamydia, which is already affecting one in ten teenagers."

Pamela Morton, of Jo's Trust, a charity which fights cervical cancer, said it was unacceptable to talk of girls as "slags".

She said: "Personally I would like to see parents wait until the schools programme starts and all girls aged 12 and 13 can be offered protection.

"However, Gardasil is a licensed drug which may be given privately."