Brits to vaccinate schoolgirls against HPV

The British government just made Merck's day--or was it GlaxoSmithKline's? U.K. schoolgirls will be vaccinated against the human papilloma virus that causes cervical cancer. And it's not just the 12- and 13-year-olds initially recommended to get the shot, but young women up to age 18, too.

The government stopped short of recommending which version of the vaccine to use. Both Gardasil, made by Merck and Sanofi Pasteur, and Cervarix, made by Glaxo, are approved for use in the U.K. Glaxo's version launched only recently, while Merck has had more time to get a toehold in the market.

• read the storyat the BBC's website