Cervavac: First indigenously developed Human Papillomavirus Vaccine

On 1st September, 2022, the government announced the scientific completion of Cervavac, India’s first indigenously developed quadrivalent human papillomavirus (qHPV) vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer.

About Cervavac: Cervavac is developed by the Pune-based Serum Institute of India in coordination with the Government of India’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT).

Effectiveness: HPV vaccines are given in two doses and data has shown that the antibodies that develop after both are administered can last up to six or seven years.

  • The HPV vaccine protects the body against the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause vaginal, vulvar, anal and oral cancers, besides cervical cancer.

Cervical Cancer

  • Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix — the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.
  • Various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cervical cancer.
  • When exposed to HPV, the body's immune system typically prevents the virus from doing harm. In a small percentage of people, however, the virus survives for years, contributing to the process that causes some cervical cells to become cancer cells.
  • Cervical cancer is a leading cause of female cancer mortality worldwide, and disproportionately affects women, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
  • Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer of women in India despite being largely preventable.

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