India's first indigenously developed quadrivalent Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer will be launched in a few months and made available to people in the affordable price range of ₹ 200-400.
Union Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh today attended an event to announce the vaccine's scientific completion. Scientific completion implies that the R&D activities about the vaccine are complete, and the next step would be making them available to the public.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Singh said COVID had raised awareness about preventive healthcare leading to the development of vaccines like the one against cervical cancer.
"We can now afford preventative healthcare thanks to programs like Ayushman Bharat. The Department of Biotechnology has assumed leadership in the situation and is working cooperatively, "added he.
"Sometimes, the level of respect due to scientific achievements is not given. Therefore, this event is to commemorate that scientific achievement, "said he.
Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India (SII), who was in attendance, spoke with reporters outside the ceremony and said, "The cost of the cervical cancer vaccine, which would be between 200 and 400 dollars, will be reasonable. However, the ultimate cost has not yet been determined ".
According to Mr. Poonawalla, the vaccination may be available by the year's end.
He stated that the vaccine would first be made accessible through the government channel, then, starting the next year, certain business partners would also be involved.
Mr. Poonawalla further stated that there is a plan to produce 200 million doses and that the vaccine would initially be administered in India before being sold to other nations.