The Indian pharmaceutical industry has made significant strides in women’s health, with the latest breakthrough being the market authorization of Cervarac. This quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus Vaccination (qHPV) promises to revolutionize cervical cancer prevention.
The Context: Cervical Cancer in India
Cervical cancer is a grave health concern for women as it ranks as the second most common cancer and leading cause of cancer death among women aged 15-44. A type of cancer that affects the cell lining of the cervix, it is primarily caused by prolonged exposure to Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
In India, the situation mirrors the global trend. According to the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, India shoulders nearly 20% of the world’s cervical cancer incidence, with around 1.23 lakh cases reported annually and approximately 67,000 deaths.
Understanding Quadrivalent Vaccines
Quadrivalent vaccines work on four different antigens simultaneously, stimulating an immune response against these antigens. These could be viruses or other harmful microorganisms. The Cervarac vaccine developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII) is based on Virus-Like Particles (VLP), similar to Hepatitis B vaccines. It triggers the production of antibodies against the L1 protein of the HPV virus, providing protection against four strains – Type 6, Type 11, Type 16, and Type 18.
The Potential of Cervarac
Cervarac stands out due to its affordability and inclusivity. Currently, two vaccines licensed globally – Gardasil from Merck and Cervarix from GlaxoSmithKline, are available in India. Though effective, they are expensive and excluded from the national immunization program.
With the Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) approving Cervarac, the government can now procure the vaccine in bulk for a nationwide HPV vaccination drive. The target demographic includes approximately 50 million girls aged between 9 and 14 years. However, it’s worth noting that the vaccine is most effective when administered before the first sexual intercourse.
UPSC Civil Services Examination & Mission Indradhanush
A previous year’s question of the UPSC Civil Services examination asked about ‘Mission Indradhanush.’ This initiative by the Indian Government focuses on immunizing children and pregnant women against seven vaccine-preventable diseases, including diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles, and hepatitis B. Launched in 2014 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the program aimed to cover all unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children by 2020. The mission received technical support from WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International, and other donor partners. Therefore, the answer to the question was ‘a’ – immunization of children and pregnant women.
The introduction of Cervarac aligns well with the government’s broader immunization efforts under Mission Indradhanush. Although it is not a part of the seven diseases targeted at the moment, the potentiality of the vaccine being included in the program in future cannot be ruled out.
Cerverac’s development promises a significant step forward in preventing cervical cancer in India, thus contributing to global efforts in reducing the burden of this life-threatening disease.
