The HPV vaccine, marketed as Gardasil, protects against the Human Hapilloma Virus, which can cause cervical cancer.

While 86% of surveyed moms said they intended to vaccinate their 16-18 year old daughters, just 48% say they would have their 9-12 year olds get the shot.

In other medical news…

A deadly virus blamed for the deaths of 23 children is rapidly spreading through China.

Chinese authorities reported the outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease on April 27th saying there had been 789 reported cases so far.

The disease is spread mostly through contact with infected blisters and can cause high fever, paralysis and swelling of the brain.

There are no vaccines available to treat or prevent the virus, leaving large parts of China's population vulnerable to the potentially fatal infection.