Cervavac Receives WHO Prequalification: India’s Indigenous HPV Vaccine
Cervavac, India’s first indigenously developed gender-neutral quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, has received World Health Organization (WHO) prequalification. Developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune, the vaccine targets four HPV types—6, 11, 16 and 18. The WHO prequalification is an important milestone for India’s vaccine manufacturing capabilities and may facilitate wider access to the vaccine through international public-health procurement programmes.
What is WHO Prequalification?
WHO prequalification is a quality-assessment process through which the WHO evaluates medicines, vaccines and other health products for quality, safety and efficacy. Prequalification allows products to be considered for procurement by United Nations agencies and international public-health programmes. It is therefore particularly important for expanding access to quality-assured vaccines in countries with significant public-health needs.
Cervavac HPV Vaccine
Cervavac is a quadrivalent HPV vaccine, meaning that it provides protection against four targeted HPV types:
- HPV 6 and 11: Mainly associated with genital warts.
- HPV 16 and 18: High-risk HPV types associated with several cancers, including cervical cancer.
The vaccine is indicated for girls and boys aged 9–26 years and is designed to help prevent HPV-related cancers and genital warts caused by the targeted virus types.
Its gender-neutral nature is significant because HPV affects both males and females, while vaccination can contribute to broader prevention of HPV transmission and disease.
Development and Regulatory Status
Cervavac was developed by the Serum Institute of India in collaboration with several organisations, including the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The vaccine received approval for use in India from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) and was launched nationally on 24 January 2023.
Significance for India
WHO prequalification strengthens the global standing of India’s vaccine manufacturing and biotechnology sector. It can also support the availability of an Indian-made HPV vaccine through international procurement mechanisms.
The development is particularly relevant to efforts aimed at reducing the global burden of HPV-associated cancers, especially cervical cancer.
Cervavac HPV Vaccine: Important Facts for Exams
- Vaccine: Cervavac
- Type: Quadrivalent HPV vaccine
- Developer: Serum Institute of India
- Headquarters: Pune, Maharashtra
- HPV types targeted: 6, 11, 16 and 18
- Target group: Girls and boys aged 9–26 years
- HPV 6 & 11: Associated mainly with genital warts
- HPV 16 & 18: High-risk types associated with several cancers
- WHO prequalification: Enables consideration for procurement by UN agencies and international health programmes
- National launch in India: 24 January 2023
