The HPV vaccine, also known as the cervical cancer vaccine, is designed to protect individuals against the human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted infection that can cause genital warts and certain types of cancer. While there are no true synonyms for the HPV vaccine, some alternative phrases that may be used include the cervical cancer shot, the Gardasil vaccine, and the HPV immunization. The HPV vaccine is recommended for both males and females, typically between the ages of 9 and 26, in order to prevent the development of certain cancers and other health conditions that can be caused by persistent HPV infections.