The age limit is a guideline. The assumption is that most women have been exposed by the age of 26, so prevention turns into treatment at that point. If you're over the age of 26 you can still receive the vaccine. Even if someone already has HPV they might benefit from the vaccine, if they are carrying a different strain.

It is also important to note that there are several other vaccines besides Gardasil in the pipeline at the moment covering other strains of HPV. There is also more research going into the administration to men, as well as women.

I like the movement from treatment to prevention; it is where medicine should be going.