India’s first vaccine against cervical cancer to be launched tomorrow

In a first, India is set to get its first vaccine against cervical cancer on September 1. As per media reports the Serum Institute of India (SII) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will introduce the first domestically produced quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (qHPV) against cervical cancer. The most awaited vaccine will be launched by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Jitendra Singh on Thursday.

Significant for India

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one-fifth of the world’s cervical cancer cases are reported in India. India has about 1.22 lakh cases and 67,000 deaths due to cervical cancer every year. It is the third most common cancer in India and the second most common in women aged 15-44 years, according to the Ministry of Health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all women are at risk for cervical cancer. It occurs most often in women over age 30.

Vaccine efficacy claim

The Union health ministry claims that the vaccine will be effective in fighting cervical cancer. Dr. NK Arora, chief of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI), said: “It is very effective and prevents cervical cancer because, 85% to 90% of cases, cervical cancer is because of this particular virus and this vaccine is against those viruses. So, if we give it to our young children and daughters, they are protected from the infection and consequently probably 30 years later, cancer does not occur,” Dr Arora further explained. “In fact, this is one of the last major vaccines to be introduced. In fact, this is one of the last vaccines that will be launched in the programme. Now, Indian vaccines will be available and we hope that it will be launched in the National Immunisation programme for 9-14-year-old girls,” he added.

Vaccine to be low-cost and affordable

The DBT-SII vaccine will prevent women against 6,11,16 and 18 strains by generating antibodies against HPV, Hindustan Times reported. The current vaccine regimens available in India from international pharmaceutical companies cost between Rs. 5,000-8,000. According to DBT, the made-in-India vaccine will be low-cost and affordable and will be especially useful for 50 million girls aged 9-14 years in India.

Indigenously developed vaccine to fulfill local demands

It is a locally manufactured vaccine which will help deal with the global market shortage. “We will be able to take care of our requirements with our made-in-India vaccine, Dr. Arora said. WHO’s 2030 cervical cancer elimination strategy targets say that 90% of girls should be immunized with the HPV vaccine by the age of 15. Dr Arora noted that there was a shortage in the global market. Indian vaccination has now arrived. Consequently, it will be able to meet the needs of the made-in-India vaccine. – INDIA NEWS STREAM