“O-N-E-L-E-S-S, I want to be one less, one less!” It’s the catchy cheer from the Gardasil commercial that gets stuck in your head after you’ve heard it just once. But unless you’re paying close attention (which I rarely am during commercials), you may not know what those double-dutch jumping girls want to be one less of.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and for young women who want to be “one less” person who has to battle with cervical cancer, Gardasil is one vaccine they should certainly be aware of.

Gardasil is an FDA-approved vaccine shown to be remarkably effective at preventing cervical cancer from four high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV). This three-part vaccine, only available to girls and women ages nine to 26, protects against infection from HPV strains that cause genital warts, cervical cancer, and anal cancer.

HPV is a common STD which affects more than 50 percent of sexually active Americans at some point in their lifetimes. There are over 100 HPV types, of which 30 are sexually transmitted and cause genital HPV. Genital HPV can only be spread through skin-to-skin contact, not through an exchange of bodily fluid. Most strains of HPV are benign, and have no symptoms, but a few strains of the virus can cause real problems, from uncomfortable genital warts to serious genital cancer.

It’s important to understand that a symptom-free partner isn’t necessarily HPV-free. That’s why it’s important to practice safe sex. A latex condom limits skin-to-skin contact, reducing transmission risk. However, condoms are not 100 percent effective at stopping the spread of HPV.

Gardasil protects against four high-risk strains of HPV - the two HPV types that cause about 70% of cervical cancer, and the two HPV types that cause about 90% of genital warts. The HPV vaccine is expected to provide long-lasting protection, but because the vaccine does not protect against all of the HPV types that can cause cervical cancer, vaccinated women still need regular cervical cancer screening.

Before the month of August is over, if you’re a young woman between the ages of nine and 26, make sure to participate in National Immunization Awareness Month by getting vaccinated with Gardasil. The girls in the commercial seem pretty psyched to be getting the HPV vaccine. Considering how effective it is, I would be too.

Related Links:

• Video: Understanding Gardasil from Sex Health Guru
• HPV Information from the Centers for Disease Control
• Gardasil Official Site