India’s first indigenously developed vaccine for cervical cancer launched

Tags: Science and Technology National News

India’s first indigenously developed quadrivalent Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer launched by Union Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh in Delhi on 1 September.

IMPORTANT FACTS -

• The name of the vaccine is CERVAVAC.

• The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has given market authorization to Serum Institute of India (SII) to manufacture indigenously developed vaccine against cervical cancer.

• Cervical cancer is the second most frequent cancer in women in the age group of 15 to 44 years in India.

About CERVAVAC :

• Vaccine CERVAVAC has demonstrated robust antibody response that is approximately 1,000-fold higher based on all targeted HPV types and age groups.

• This vaccine protects women from cervical cancer. 

• It has been developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII).

• This vaccine will ensure the prevention of cancer caused by human papillomavirus (types 6, 11, 16 and 18).

About Cervical Cancer :

• It is a sexually transmitted infection.

• It occurs in the cells of the cervix (the lower part of the uterus) that connects to the vagina.

• It is mostly caused by long-term infection with HPV.

• It is the second most prevalent cancer form and the second leading cause of cancer death among women aged 15–44.

• Women who have HIV are six times more likely to develop cervical cancer than normal women.

Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) :

• It comes under the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

• It is responsible for approval of licences of specified categories of drugs like blood and blood products, vaccines, IV fluids and sera in India.

• It sets the standards and quality of the manufacture, sale, import and distribution of drugs in India.