A government committee is expected to make a recommendation on whether girls in the UK should be vaccinated against the virus that causes cervical cancer.
All girls aged between 12 and 13 in the UK should be vaccinated against the virus that causes cervical cancer, a government panel has recommended.
But it is unclear when the programme might begin - if it wins the support of the panel of experts.
But the government said that while it accepted the advice "in principle", it would first have to determine if such a major programme was financially viable.
The Tories accuse the government of dragging its feet, noting vaccinations have been approved by other countries.
It is thought that vaccinating against human papillomavirus (HPV) could save hundreds of lives in the UK each year.
It is thought that vaccinating against human papillomavirus (HPV) could save hundreds of lives in the UK each year.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) will re-examine the evidence on Wednesday before making its recommendations.
But experts say it could be 20 years before the first benefits are seen.
Campaigners hope it will endorse a plan for all 12-year-old girls in the UK be vaccinated, and call for a catch-up programme for those up to 16.
Two vaccines have been developed. Gardasil, made by Merck and Sanofi Pasteur, has already been approved in 76 countries, while Cervarix is expected to be launched in Europe later this year.
Both cost about £300 for three injections over six months.
Some have expressed concerns that providing a jab to protect against a sexually transmitted infection to children at a young age might encourage promiscuity.
In a Manchester University study of parents' attitudes, a minority of those asked expressed some concern about the sexual implications, but the report concluded that most - if convinced the jab was safe and effective - would allow their daughter to be vaccinated.
In any event, parents would have the final say as to whether their child received the injection.
Killer disease
About 80% of sexually active women can expect to have an HPV infection at some point in their lives.
It is held responsible for some 70% of cervical cancer cases, a disease which kills 274,000 women worldwide every year, including 1,120 in the UK.
In an editorial published last year, the Lancet called for mandatory vaccination against HPV for girls in all EU member states once they are 11 or 12.
On Tuesday, Switzerland approved a vaccination programme, following on the heels of Austria, Germany, Italy, France, Norway, Luxembourg and Belgium.
Conservative shadow health minister John Baron said there was a "moral argument" to push a vaccination programme forward, accusing the government of "failing to take a lead on the issue".
"If we act quickly, we could get girls vaccinated within the next school year. We have here a vaccination that is 100% effective, and very cheap relative to the number of lives you could save," he added.
A Department of Health spokesperson said the JCVI was an "independent committee" which needed time to examine the issue in depth.
"It is important that they thoroughly consider all the available evidence around HPV vaccines and that they only make recommendations when they are sure that all relevant information has been carefully considered."
Some parents have opted to vaccinate their child privately.
"Our daughters are 14 and 12 and we have paid to have them vaccinated, with no hesititation," said Simon Marsh, a consultant surgeon who contacted the BBC News website.
"This is one of the most effective vaccines ever developed."
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