There is a vaccine available to prevent infection of most strains of HPV (human papillomavirus), which is a group of viruses - the most common viral sexually transmitted infection. Certain types of HPV infection cause cervical cancers. The HPV vaccine protects against certain types of HPV that can lead to cancer or genital warts. The vaccine can be given to people ages 9 to 45 and it is given in a series of shots.