The Serum Institute of India (SII) launched 'CERVAVAC', India's first indigenously developed vaccine against cervical cancer on January 24. The vaccine was launched on the occasion of India's National Girl Child Day. January also marks Cervical Cancer Awareness month.
Mr. Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India (SII), took to Twitter to break the good news. He tweeted a picture with Mr. Amit Shah, India's Home Minister, and Mr. Prakash Kumar Singh, Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs, SII.
The vaccine has been jointly created by the SII and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT). Cervavac has proved to have an effective antibody response against all the targeted HPV types in all age groups.
The vaccine is also said to be affordable and cost-effective. According to reports, Cervavac would be given to girls in the 9-14 years age group. Two doses would be required and each dose will cost around ₹200 to ₹400.
Cervical cancers are mainly caused by a virus called Human Papillomavirus (HPV). More than 95% of cervical cancers are caused by HPVs, which are sexually transmitted.
Cervical cancer has the second most number of cases in India.
One-fourth of the world's cancer deaths are due to cervical cancer.
Around 1.25 lakh women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in India each year, and around 75000 deaths.
HPV types 16 and 18 contribute to 83% of invasive cervical cancer cases in India and 70% of all invasive cervical cancer cases in the world.