Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States. An estimated 6.2 million people are infected with HPV every year. Randomized controlled studies consistently show that HPV vaccine is effective in preventing infection and HPV related cervical lesions. In June 2006, Gardasil (qadrivalent HPV recombinant vaccine) was approved by the FDA for use in females 9-26 years of age. This article reviews published data to evaluate the effectiveness of HPV vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer.