SII and DGT to launch India’s first vaccine against cervical cancer on 1 September

The Serum Institute of India (SII) and the Department of Biotechnology (DGT) on 1 September will launch India’s first indigenously developed Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus vaccine (qHPV) against Cervical Cancer.

The Union Minister of State Science & Technology Jitendra Singh will launch the most awaited vaccine on Thursday.

The National Technical Advisory Group Chairperson Dr. N K Arora said it is exciting that they are going to launch a made-in-India vaccine.

“It is very exciting and I must say it makes us very happy that our daughters and granddaughters will now be able to get this much-awaited vaccine,” Dr. Arora said.

“In fact, this is one of the last major vaccines to be introduced. In fact, this is one of the last vaccines that will be launched in the program. Now, Indian vaccines will be available and we hope that it will be launched in the National Immunisation program for 9-14-years-old girls,’ Dr. Arora further said.

Moreover, Dr. Arora further stated and explained, “It is very effective and prevents cervical cancer because, 85 percent to 90 percent of cases, cervical cancer is because of this particular virus and this vaccine is against those viruses. So, if you give it to our young children and daughters, they are protected from the infection, and consequently probably 30 years later, cancer does not occur.”

‘There was a shortage in the global market. Now Indian vaccine has come. So, we will able to take care of our requirements within our made-in-India vaccine,” Dr. Arora said.