Union Minister announces India’s first indigenously developed vaccine, “CERVAVAC” for the prevention of cervical cancer

Source: The post is based on the article “Union Minister announces India’s first indigenously developed vaccine, “CERVAVAC” for the prevention of cervical cancer” published in PIB on 1st September 2022

What is the News?

Union Minister Science & Technology has launched India’s first indigenously developed vaccine, “CERVAVAC” for the prevention of cervical cancer.

What is CERVAVAC Vaccine?

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Doses: Two vaccine doses are supposed to be administered to teenage girls before they are sexually active. For older individuals, three doses are recommended.

Note: This vaccine can prevent an infection, but cannot clear it once it happens.

What is Cervical Cancer?

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Cervical Cancer cases in India

Cervical cancer ranks as the 2nd most prevalent cancer in India and accounts for nearly one-fourth of the world’s cervical cancer deaths despite being largely preventable. 

Current estimates indicate that every year approximately 1.25 lakhs women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and over 75,000 die from the disease in India.

Around 83% of invasive cervical cancers are attributed to HPVs 16 or 18 in India.

The most promising intervention for preventing cervical cancer is vaccination against human papillomavirus(HPV).

It is estimated that HPV types 16 and 18 (HPV-16 and HPV-18) together contribute to approximately 70% of all invasive cervical cancer cases worldwide.