Recently Serum Institute of India (SII) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) launched indigenously developed quadrivalent Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine for prevention of cervical cancer.
Highlights
- The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) last month granted market authorization to Serum Institute of India (SII) for the production of this indigenously developed vaccine against cervical cancer.
- It will be the first Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus vaccine (qHPV) in India, to prevent cervical cancer.
- After the launch of this vaccine, the government will soon run a national immunization program for girls in the age group of 9-14 years.
- In 85 percent to 90 percent of cervical cancer cases, it has been seen that the cancer used to grow in the absence of a vaccine, but now it will not happen. If we give this vaccine to young children and daughters in advance, then they will be safe from infection and it is possible that they may not get cervical cancer after 30 years.
Cervical cancer in India
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancers among women in India, even though it is preventable. This cancer is commonly diagnosed among women aged 15 to 44 years of age. According to Globocan 2020, cervical cancer stood at 9.4% of all cancers and 18.3% of new cancer cases in 2020. During 1990-2016, cervical cancer was the second main factor of cancer deaths for women across 12 Indian states.
National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP)
National Cancer Control Programme was first started in India in 1975. Under the programme, priorities were given to equip existing cancer hospital and institutions. Central assistance of Rs 2.50 lakhs was provided to each cancer institution, in a bid to purchase cobalt machines for radiotherapy.