SII to launch vaccine to prevent Cervical Cancer

Source: The post is based on the article “SII to launch vaccine to prevent Cervical Cancer” published in The Hindu on 13th July 2022.

What is the News?

The Drugs Controller General of India(DCGI) has granted market authorisation to the Serum Institute of India(SII) for Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine(qHPV) against cervical cancer.

What is Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine(qHPV)?

It is India’s first indigenously-developed vaccine against cervical cancer.

Significance of this vaccine: Immunization with the qHPV vaccine can reduce the impact of cervical cancer. It can prevent most cases of cervical cancer if administered before girls or women are exposed to the virus.

What is 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.

Globally, Cervical Cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer among women in the world. 

In India, Cervical cancer ranks as the second-most frequent cancer among women between 15 and 44 years of age.