The Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's largest manufacturer of vaccines has created the first cervical cancer vaccine which will soon be available on the market.
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally. In 2020, there were an estimated 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.
India's Department of Biotechnology said the Indian vaccine would work on HPV types 16 and 18, responsible for 70% of cervical cancers, as well as 6 and 11.
The vaccine will be out for sale in a few months, first for the Indian market and then the world, priced between 200 rupees and 400 rupees ($2.51-$5.03).
The vaccine will be administered via injection in two doses among 9-14 year olds and in three doses for those between 15 and 26.
In two years, the company plan to produce about 200 million doses.
