CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: The Cervavac HPV vaccine developed in India has received pre-qualification from the World Health Organization (WHO). Developed by the Serum Institute of India, it is India’s first indigenous gender-neutral quadrivalent HPV vaccine.
After its inclusion on the WHO list, United Nations agencies will be able to procure it, making it easier for the vaccine to reach other countries around the world. Cervavac targets four types of HPV – 6, 11, 16 and 18. Among these, HPV-16 and HPV-18 are high-risk types linked to several cancer cases, while HPV-6 and HPV-11 are mainly associated with genital warts. The vaccine is used for boys and girls aged 9 to 26 years to protect against related diseases.
WHO pre-qualification means the vaccine has met the organisation’s prescribed standards for quality, safety and effectiveness. However, it does not mean the vaccine will become immediately available in every country. Individual countries will have to take separate decisions on their immunisation programmes, regulatory processes and procurement.
Cervavac’s achievement is being seen as an important step for India’s vaccine and biotechnology sector. It could strengthen India’s role in global efforts to prevent HPV infection and cancers linked to it.
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