A study presented at the International Papillomavirus Conference in Prague, Monday, suggests that vaccinating all girls under 12 against the virus responsible for causing the cervical cancer, could cut the number of disease related deaths by 75 percent. Drug maker GlaxoSmithKline' said its experimental vaccine Cervarix prevents infection from two strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) which account for about 70 percent of cases of cervical cancer.

In a computer model study sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, the researchers predicted the impact the vaccine would have in Britain if all 12 year-old girls were vaccinated. Although researchers acknowledged that the 100 percent coverage assumed in the study was unrealistic, but asserted that even if 80 percent of the teens were vaccinated it could reduce the cervical cancer cases and related deaths by 61 percent.

Cervarix works by targeting HPV 16 and HPV 18, the two most common forms of the disease.

Also a study on rival vaccine Gardasil from Sanofi Pasteur was presented at the conference. Gardasil was found to be effective 85 percent of the strains of HPV as compared to previous 75 percent.

GSK is in fierce competition with Sanofi Pasteur, who are about to see their vaccine, Gardasil, granted a European license. Cervarix is still being developed and will not reach European approval stage for around another year.