In a groundbreaking move, India has introduced its first indigenous human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, named Cervavac, aiming to curb the alarming rates of cervical cancer, which claims the lives of an estimated 70,000 women annually. The vaccine is set to make a significant impact as it becomes a part of the country's immunization program, offering free doses to girls between the ages of nine and 14.

Developed through a collaborative effort between the Indian government and the Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's largest vaccine manufacturer, Cervavac marks a crucial milestone as the first vaccine manufactured in India to receive approval from the drugs controller general. This initiative is a response to the limited access to existing HPV vaccines, primarily supplied by foreign pharmaceutical giants Merck and GSK, which were prohibitively expensive.

Sneha Neurgaonkar, a 14-year-old recipient of the vaccine, expressed her understanding of the gravity of cervical cancer, emphasizing the importance of protection for future generations. "Females are the leaders of the future generation, and without them, there is no world," she remarked, highlighting the awareness the vaccine is fostering among young girls.

Cervical cancer stands as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in India, constituting a quarter of the global burden of the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies cervical cancer as the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, with the majority of deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

Adar Poonawalla, CEO of SII, announced that the vaccine would be made available to the government at a cost of 300-400 rupees per dose by December. Currently priced at 1,500 rupees for those who pre-registered, the cost is significantly lower than the previous private healthcare setting price of 2,000 rupees for three doses.

The Serum Institute of India, based in Pune, is prepared to manufacture 70 million doses annually, with plans to double production by 2026 to meet the demands of India's approximately 25 million births each year. Poonawalla aims to export the vaccine to African countries, the Indian subcontinent, and South America, with plans to consider European and U.S. markets in the future.

Umesh Shaligram, an executive director at SII, emphasized the potential impact of the new HPV vaccine, particularly in addressing the disparity in women's healthcare in low- and middle-income countries. The vaccine is poised to contribute significantly to the fight against cervical cancer and elevate the status of women's health in India and beyond.