Pune, Oct. 5 -- India's first indigenously developed Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Cervavac, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII), received prequalification from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The regulatory milestone marks the 32nd WHO prequalification for biological products received by the Serum Institute of India. Inclusion on the WHO list of prequalified vaccines enables Cervavac to be procured by United Nations agencies for global distribution.

The recombinant quadrivalent HPV vaccine targets HPV strains 6, 11, 16, and 18, and is indicated for use in girls and boys aged 9 through 26 years.

Chief Executive Officer of the Serum Institute of India, Adar Poonawalla, hailed the development, emphasising that t...