The announcement that Boots the chemists has started selling the Cervarix vaccine has sent ripples through the world of medicine.

The drug is designed to prevent the development of the sexually-transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV), the cause of most cases of cervical cancer.

Until now it has only been given to 12 to 13 and 17 to 18- year-old girls who were yet to become sexually active.

As some campaigners celebrate the availability of the drug for all women, or at least those that can afford it, others warn Cervarix could lull women into a false sense of security leading them to miss smear tests.

Smear tests provide early indicators of cancerous cells and are crucial to the prevention of it spreading.

Katie Brickell, 26, has been campaigning for women aged between 18 and 25 to be given cervical smear tests on the NHS.

She is currently in remission after being diagnosed with cervical cancer, aged 23.

She had been refused smear tests on three occasions because of her age.

She argues that while the jab for schoolgirls is a positive move in the fight against cancer, it would not have prevented her contracting the disease.

“My cancer wasn’t caused by the HPV virus, so even if I had it, only a smear would have protected me.

“The vaccine is great if you can afford it but in my case it wouldn’t have made any difference.”

She argues that the jab could lead to women believing that if they have had the vaccine they do not need smear tests.

She also worries that it may not protect women who have already been exposed to HPV.

She said: “This is the issue which should be focused on – women aged under 25 being offered cervical smears.

“At the moment there is a group of young women who will be too old to be given the vaccine but too young for a smear test.”

Sarah Woolnough, Cancer Research UK’s head of policy, agrees smear tests are still the best way for older women to protect themselves and that more research needs to be done into the effectiveness of the vaccine on older women.

She said: “The NHS threedose vaccination programme aims to reach girls aged 12 to 18 before they have come into contact with the human papilloma virus strains HPV 16 and HPV 18 – the types which are responsible for about 70 per cent of cases of cervical cancer.

We don’t yet know how effective the vaccine is in women who have already come into contact with HPV.

“The best way older women can protect themselves against cervical cancer is through the free NHS cervical screening programme, which has saved 100,000 lives since its introduction in 1988.

“We strongly advise all women to attend a cervical screening when invited, even if they have had the HPV vaccination.

“Women should also visit their doctor straight away if they have symptoms – such as bleeding between periods and after the menopause and pain during sex.

“This may not be cancer but should be checked out.”

A spokesman from Brighton and Hove PCT encouraged young women to take up the offer of vaccinations but cautioned against older women having them.

He said: “The Department of Health does not recommend vaccinating women aged 18 years and older.

“The vaccination is most effective when given before young women have been exposed to the virus.

“As part of the national programme the HPV vaccine will be offered in schools to all girls in Years 8, 10 and 11.

“Young women between 16 and 18 will be invited by their doctors’ surgeries for the vaccination.

“We encourage everyone in these age groups to have the vaccine.”

But medical professionals hope the vaccine will be effective in reducing the number of women developing cervical cancer, which is currently the second highest cause of cancer deaths among women under 35.

Dr Andy Jones, chief medical director of Nuffield Health, called it a “triumph” which will save many lives.

He said: “This will make a huge difference.

“I have no problem with it being made available in this way.

“It won’t protect in all cases but we will see a massive reduction which will be beneficial to the girls and women in the age group receiving the vaccine.”