Douglas County’s Health Department is now offering a relatively new vaccine for a sexually transmitted virus linked to cervical cancer.

The department announced earlier this month that it would start offering the vaccine Gardasil, which protects against four strains of human papillomavirus, or HPV. Two strains of the virus are believed to cause 70 percent of cervical cancer, and the other two strains cause about 90 percent of genital warts, according to the health department.

The vaccine may be given to women and girls between the ages of 9 and 26. There are three shots in the series given over a six-month period. Many private insurers cover Gardasil, but for those under age 19 without insurance coverage the vaccine is available through the federal Vaccines for Children program.

For more information, call the health department at 843-0721.