After coming under criticism from a variety of advocacy groups, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agency has rescinded a mandate requiring female immigrants applying for green cards to receive a vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus that can cause cervical cancer in women.

The government was criticized because the mandate was seen as unfair. Unlike other shots, HPV vaccinations are not required for U.S. citizens. They can also carry a hefty price, according to the Associated Press:

At a price of $400 to $1,000 for the three-shot series, the vaccine also was an added burden on green card applicants already paying more than a thousand dollars in application fees and hundreds of dollars for mandatory medical exams. Insurance companies do not cover health services required for immigration purposes, advocates pointed out.

"It also put the financial burden on the individual woman and her family," Gabriela Valle, senior director of community outreach and mobilization for California Latinas for Reproductive Justice, said Monday. "Not only are you taking my rights to make an informed decision over my body, over myself, over my daughter, but you're having me pay for it as well."

Despite the changes, the government does recommend all young girls start receiving the HPV vaccination by age 9. Sexually-active women should also be getting the shots too, according to officials.