A vaccine for the human papilloma virus — which causes cervical cancer — will be  available free of charge to Quebec girls in Grade 4 and 9 (known as secondary 3), provincial health officials said Friday.

Between those grades, girls can be vaccinated if their parents request it, said Dr. Alain Poirier, the province's public health director.

"According to their needs, or discussion with their parents and themselves, if they are over 14 years of age, they can ask … and it's going to be accessible," he said Friday.

Parents will have to sign a consent form for girls under 14, but the province will offer the vaccine for free to women up to the age of 18. The vaccination program will start in the new school year, in fall 2008.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection and is responsible for most cases of cervical cancer. It also causes anal and genital warts.

Vaccination is very successful as a prophylactic against the four most common types of HPV but only for women who have never been infected and have never had sex. 

"We need to give the vaccine before they have sex," said Dr. Diane Francoeur, a Montreal obstetrician-gynecologist specializing in pediatric and adolescent care.

"And even though nine years of age seems too young to you to talk about sex, you need to discuss these issues, because unfortunately, little girls have sex very early."

The virus is transmitted via genital contact during sexual relations, even if there is no penetration or if a condom is used.

Most people carrying the HPV virus present no symptoms, unless they were infected with a strain that causes warts.

About 325 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Quebec every year.