India’s first indigenously developed quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for cervical cancer prevention will be available in the market in near future. Union Minister of State of Science & Technology Jitendra Singh informed that research and development related to vaccines is completed and now the next step of mass production would take place. 

Cervical cancer occurs in the cells of the cervix. It is mainly because of the sexually transmitted infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The vaccine can prevent the complications caused by the virus in girls and women. In addition to this, the vaccine is protective against vulvar and vaginal cancer also. 

According to WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer across the world. India holds about a fifth of the global burden of cervical cancer. India witnesses 1.2 lakhs cases of cervical cancer with approx. 60,000 deaths per year.

The Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus vaccine (qHPV) is developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has given market authorization to the Serum Institute of India (SII) to manufacture vaccines against cervical cancer. The vaccine rates will be very much affordable and would cost in the range of Rs 200-400. However, the final price is not yet decided. Firstly, the vaccine would be given in India and after that, it will be exported to other countries. 

Currently, two HPV vaccines by foreign manufacturers are available in India - the quadrivalent vaccine (Gardasil Merck), priced at Rs 2,800 per dose; and a bivalent vaccine (Cervarix from GlaxoSmithKline), priced at Rs 3,299 per dose.

Considering the high prevalence rate of typhoid, the government is trying hard to bring something to its rescue. The central government is also considering including the HPV vaccine and typhoid vaccine in the Universal Vaccination Programme (must for all).