CERVAVAC has shown a strong antibody response against all targeted HPV types
As per a news report by India Science Wire, The Cervical cancer vaccine, the Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus vaccine (qHPV), which was produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), was introduced by the central government on Thursday. The Serum Institute estimates that the price per dosage of the vaccine will be between Rs. 200- 400. The qHPV vaccination CERVAVAC has shown a strong antibody response against all targeted HPV types in both dose and age groups that is almost 1,000 times higher than the baseline.
What is Cervical cancer?
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that first appears in the cervix. All women are susceptible to developing cervical cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Women over 30 are most likely to experience it. Cervical cancer is mostly brought on by persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Early detection of cervical cancer greatly improves treatment options, length of survival, and quality of life.
Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that since 2019, 41,91,000 Indian women have passed away from cervical cancer.
Production will begin in November or December
Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla stated, “We will announce the price of the vaccine in a few months. It will cost between 200 and 400. Production will begin in November or December, and the government will consider the ultimate pricing choice”.
The first vaccine created in-country, “CERVAVAC,” was introduced by Union Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh to prevent cervical cancer.
The vaccine would be made available once a significant number of doses were produced and prepared for distribution, according to the announcement. Girls between the ages of 9 and 14 will receive it in two doses, while women between the ages of 15 and 26 will receive it in three doses.
Cervical cancer ranks as the second most common malignancy in India
According to government statistics, although being mostly avoidable, cervical cancer ranks as the second most common malignancy in India and is responsible for approximately one-fourth of all cervical cancer fatalities worldwide. In India, over 75,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, and this illness claims the lives of over 75,000 people there.
Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, DBT, stated that this is a celebration of the efforts of all parties involved and added that relationships with businesses are increasingly crucial for doing research and development, which demands enormous investment.
According to the government, “CERVAVAC” is the result of a collaboration between DBT and BIRAC, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Serum Institute provided support for the domestic development of the quadrivalent vaccination through its cooperation initiative “Grand Challenges India.”
Manisha Koirala, a movie diva who valiantly battled and defeated ovarian cancer, joined the event online and thanked all the participants for developing the vaccine. She declared, “Today is a great day for women in India and worldwide.”