CERVAVAC®
Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (HPV Types 6, 11, 16, & 18) Vaccine (Recombinant)
India’s First Indigenous & Gender Neutral HPV Vaccine Is Here!
About HPV
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that affects both males and females. HPV is highly transmissible, particularly after the onset of sexual activity, and most persons acquire infection at some time in their lives. There are many different types of HPV. Some types can cause health problems, including genital warts and cancers. HPV can cause cervical and other cancers, including cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, or anus. It can also cause cancer in the back of the throat (called oropharyngeal cancer). HPV 6 and 11, two of the “low-risk” genotypes, cause genital warts, a common benign condition of the external genitalia that causes significant morbidity. HPV 16 and 18, the most common “high-risk” genotypes, cause approximately 70% of all cervical cancers.
SYMPTOMS
Most HPV infections (70–90%) are without any symptoms and go away on their own within two years without health problems. Most people are unaware if they have the infection. But when HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer. Genital warts usually appear as a small bump or group of bumps in the genital area. They can be small or large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower. A healthcare provider can usually diagnose warts by looking at the genital area. Women may know they have HPV after an abnormal Pap test result.
Why Is The HPV Vaccine Important?
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world. It is also the leading cause of cervical cancer, which is the fourth most common cancer among women.
Most cases of HPV infections clear up on their own. However, some may persist and may develop into cancer.
Both women and men are susceptible to HPV infection. It may cause cervical cancer in women, penile cancer in men, and anal and oropharyngeal cancers in both men and women.
Vaccines for HPV are available. The combination of HPV vaccination and cervical screening offers the best protection against cervical cancer. The vaccines are most effective when they are administered before exposure to HPV.
CERVAVAC® Vaccine Information
CERVAVAC® is India’s first indigenous and only gender-neutral qHPV vaccine, developed and manufactured by Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd. It is a quadrivalent HPV vaccine containing HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. Product developed through worldwide collaborative efforts.
CERVAVAC® is indicated in females 9 through 26 years of age for the prevention of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16, 18; cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal precancerous or dysplastic lesions caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18; and genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11.
CERVAVAC® is indicated in males 9 through 26 years of age for the prevention of anal cancer caused by HPV types 16, 18; anal precancerous or dysplastic lesions caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18; and genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11.
CERVAVAC® Dosing schedule:
For individuals aged 9 to 14 years:
- CERVAVAC® should be administered according to a 2-dose schedule (0.5 ml at 0, 6 months).
For individuals aged 15 to 26 years:
- CERVAVAC® should be administered according to a 3-dose (0.5 ml at 0, 2, 6 months) schedule.
The second dose should be administered at least one month after the first dose and the third dose should be administered at least 3 months after the second dose. All three doses should be given within a 1-year period.
The use of CERVAVAC® should be in accordance with official recommendations.
HPV FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is a common virus that is passed from one person to another during sex. Most sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives and some women will get cervical cancer. HPV infection is mostly seen in adolescents and young adults between 15 and 25 years of age.
Apart from cervical cancer, HPV can also cause vaginal and vulvar cancers in females. In males, HPV can cause penile cancer. It can cause anal and oropharyngeal cancers, and genital warts in both males and females.
There are five main types of cancer that affect a woman’s reproductive organs i.e., cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar. The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus. When cancer starts in the cervix, it is called cervical cancer. Almost all cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV infection.
Cervical cancer is the 2nd highest cause of female cancer in India and 4th most common cancer for women worldwide. Unlike most cancers, cervical cancer is more likely to develop among women aged 20–45 than among older women.
Almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV. Factors ranging from unprotected sex, sexually transmitted disease, lack of menstrual hygiene, weak immune system, etc. could be probable causes. The best way to prevent this cancer is to get vaccinated with an HPV vaccine and maintain proper intimate hygiene.
Cervical cancer may not show any significant signs and symptoms at an early stage. At the advanced stage, cervical cancer may cause bleeding or discharge from the vagina that is not normal, such as bleeding after sex. If one has any of these signs, they should see the doctor.
The Pap test is one of the most reliable and effective cancer screening tests available. It is recommended for all women between the ages of 21 and 29 years old. If the Pap test results are normal, the doctor may ask to repeat it after three years.
For 30 years and above, one can choose to have a Pap test or an HPV test, or both together. If results are normal, the chance of getting cervical cancer in the next few years is very low. The doctor may recommend doing the test again after five years.
The most important ways to prevent cervical cancer are to get vaccinated against HPV and have regular screening tests like the HPV test and the Pap test (for Pap smear).
Both females and males above the age of 9 should be vaccinated with the CERVAVAC® vaccine for the prevention of HPV-associated cancers. Male partners can also carry HPV and transmit it to their female partner which may develop later into cervical cancer.
- For girls and boys in the age group of 9-14 years, CERVAVAC® should be administered according to a 2-dose schedule – 0.5 ml at 0 and 6 months.
- For women and men aged 15 and above, CERVAVAC® should be administered according to a 3-dose schedule – 0.5 ml at 0, 2, and 6 months.
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News & Insights
- The Health Site
- July 18, 2023
- Hindustan Times
- July 18, 2023
