NEW YORK — It’s now easier for preteens to get the cervical cancer vaccine.

A government panel on Wednesday recommended that preteens get two shots instead of three and space them further apart. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention immediately made the change.

“It will be simpler now for parents to get their kids the HPV vaccine series, and protect their kids from HPV cancers,” said the CDC’s Dr. Nancy Messonnier.

The vaccine protects against human papillomavirus — or HPV — which can cause cervical cancer, certain other cancers and genital warts. It is commonly spread through sex and, in most cases, the virus doesn’t cause any problems.

Health officials want kids to get HPV vaccinations at age 11 or 12, well before most first have sex and before they could be infected.

Recent studies have shown two doses of the current HPV vaccine — Gardasil 9 — work just as well in kids ages 9 to 14. The Food and Drug Administration two weeks ago said it could be given in two doses.

What’s more, two doses apparently work better when spaced six to 12 months apart. That means they could be given at annual checkups.