What's a mother to do?

Bombarded by commercials that urge her and everyone around her to "tell someone," she pays attention to the news that a vaccine will protect women against the human papillomavirus. Studies also found the vaccine to be almost 100 percent effective in preventing precancers of the cervix, vulva and vagina and genital warts.

Should she vaccinate HER daughters?

We turned to the experts for advice. Here's what they said:

Food and Drug Administration: The agency recommends the vaccine for all girls and women, ages 9 to 26.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Its immunization committee has recommended that the CDC endorse routine vaccinations for girls 11 to 12 years old, before sexual activity.

Dr. Albert "Ben" Jenson, part of the original team of scientists that invented the HPV vaccine and holds the patent: "I can't think of a reason not to (get the vaccine). The adverse reactions are very small. It's the first vaccination to prevent cancer."

Dr. W. David Hager, a Bush-appointed member of the FDA's Advisory Committee for Reproductive Health Drugs who is on Merck's Ob/Gyn Advisory Board for Immunization, a conservative Christian voice on women's health and sexuality: "I have worked to help other organizations understand (Merck's Gardasil) and the need for it. ...

"We continue to say that girls should remain abstinent as the best way to prevent sexually transmitted infections and nonmarital pregnancy. However, the latest data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey indicate that almost 7 percent of kids have initiated sexual intercourse by 13 years of age. Thus, it is important to immunize before sexual activity begins.

"Even if a young lady remains abstinent until marriage but marries a guy who has been sexually active, he could bring HPV into the relationship. So I strongly recommend encouraging abstinence, but giving the vaccine at 11 to 12 years of age."