According to an estimate, every year more than 80 thousand cases of cervical cancer are reported in India, while 35 thousand women die from it. But now the first indigenous vaccine made against cervical cancer is about to come in the market. It will be provided free of cost to girls aged 9 to 14 years. How effective is this vaccine? How much does this cost? How dangerous is it?
Serum Institute of India (SII) Chief Executive Officer Adar Poonawalla on Tuesday announced the launch of ‘Servavac’, the first indigenously made Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Poonawala and Prakash, director of government and regulatory affairs at Serum Institute, introduced the vaccine. Singh witnessed the inauguration.
What is Cervical Cancer?
- It is generally believed that cervical cancer occurs only in women, but sometimes it can occur in men also.
- In the case of cervical cancer, infection occurs in the genitals. If timely attention is given, it can be treated, but if it is delayed or the infection spreads, death can also occur.
- Cervical cancer is caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV). More than 95% of cervical cancers are caused by HPV. The HPV usually spreads soon after sexual intercourse.
How dangerous is cervical cancer?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is the fourth most common cancer in women in the world. In 2020, more than 6 lakh cases were reported worldwide and about 3.5 lakh deaths occurred. More than 90% of cases occurred in low- and middle-income countries.
According to WHO, women or men who are more sexually active may become infected with HPV at some point in their lives. Some people may become infected more than once. However, in 90% of cases, the infection resolves on its own.
Generally, it may take 15 to 20 years for a healthy woman to get it. If a woman has a weak immune system or is suffering from HIV, she may develop cervical cancer within 5 to 10 years. According to WHO, the risk of cervical cancer is 6 times higher in women suffering from HIV.
Cervical Cancer Symptoms and Treatment
- Cervical cancer takes years to develop. Therefore its symptoms are not visible in the beginning. In the case of cervical cancer, there is usually excessive bleeding from the genitals.
- Vaginal infection, urine infection, bleeding after sex, vaginal discharge, weight loss and swelling in legs are symptoms of cervical cancer.
- If we detect this disease in its initial stage, we can cure it completely. India does have a vaccine but currently it is only for girls aged 9 to 26 years.
About 80 thousand cases in the country every year
Dr. Arora said that about 80 thousand cases of cervical cancer are reported every year in India. But the important thing is that cervical cancer can be completely prevented through vaccination. This cancer is caused by the Human Papilloma Virus and can be prevented with available vaccines. Dr. Arora said that the Central Government will administer the HPV vaccine to girls aged 9 to 14 years under its National Health Programme.
About Serum Vaccines
- This is the first cervical cancer vaccine made in the country. It is claimed that Serum Institute’s CERVAVAC has proved effective on women of all ages in trials.
- This vaccine has received approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) and the Immunization Program Advisory Committee NTAGI for use in public health programs.
- This vaccine has been developed by Serum Institute in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is also a partner in this.
- This vaccine has been tested. CERVAVAC has been claimed to be effective against all types of HPV in trials.
- Several studies conducted in India have shown that a single dose of the HPV vaccine is more than 95% effective against it. In 2021, the Lancet claimed in its study that the HPV vaccine can reduce cases of cervical cancer by 90%.
When will the vaccine come in the market?
- Serum Institute has launched this vaccine. The market expects the vaccine to be launched in June this year. The central government has included this vaccine in its vaccination campaign.
- Due to CERVAVAC’s involvement in the vaccination campaign, this vaccine will be given free of cost to girls aged 9 to 14 years.
- Dr. Prakash Singh, director of regulatory affairs at Serum Institute, had said that the price of CERVAVAC will be much lower than the international brands of HPV vaccines currently available in the market.
- Currently, two foreign vaccines for cervical cancer are available in India. The cost of one dose of these vaccines is more than four thousand rupees. In September last year, Adar Poonawala had said that the price of one dose of CERVAVAC would be between Rs 200 to Rs 400.
Serum Institute has created
Adar Poonawala tweeted that he is happy to launch this vaccine on the occasion of National Girl Child Day and Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. The ‘CERVAVAC’ is the result of the partnership of the Department of Biotechnology and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, developed by Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd through its partnership program ‘Grand Challenges’. India will develop a ‘Quadrivalent Vaccine’. Assistance has been given to indigenous development.
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