Which Indian vaccine is used for prevention of Cervical Cancer in India?

AIIMS CRE 2025

Pharmacology

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS CRE 2025

Explanation

Cervavac is the correct answer as it is India's first indigenously developed vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer.
It is a quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (qHPV) vaccine, meaning it targets four strains of HPV: 6, 11, 16, and 18.
The vaccine is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII), marking a significant step in India's public health and biotechnology sector.
Strains 16 and 18 are high-risk types responsible for the majority of cervical cancers, while strains 6 and 11 cause most cases of anogenital warts.

Option B: Cervarix is an HPV vaccine, but it is not an Indian vaccine. It is manufactured by the British multinational pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
Option C: Gardasil is another effective HPV vaccine, but it is not of Indian origin. It is manufactured by the American pharmaceutical company Merck & Co.
Option D: The MMR vaccine protects against three different viral diseases: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. It has no connection to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) or the prevention of cervical cancer.

Visual 1: Infographic - A chart comparing the features of Cervavac, Cervarix, and Gardasil (strains covered, manufacturer, type, country of origin). This helps in quick differentiation.
Visual 2: Diagram - An illustration showing the cervix and how HPV infection can lead to cancerous changes, emphasizing the importance of vaccination for prevention.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Indigenous Vaccines for Cervical Cancer Prevention in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The development of Cervavac is a major public health achievement for India, making cervical cancer prevention more affordable and accessible, which is crucial in a country with a high burden of the disease.
Nurses play a vital role in educating parents and young adults about the importance, safety, and schedule of the HPV vaccine to increase uptake and reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.
What if the question asked for the first HPV vaccine to be licensed globally? In that case, Gardasil would be the correct answer, as it was the first HPV vaccine approved for use in 2006.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'Indian vaccine' and 'Cervical Cancer'. This immediately tells you the answer must be a vaccine that is both made in India and prevents this specific cancer.
Next, evaluate the options based on this primary filter. Recall or look for information on the origin of each vaccine.
Cervarix and Gardasil are well-known international brands (GSK and Merck, respectively). This eliminates them as the 'Indian vaccine'.
The MMR vaccine is for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella, which is unrelated to cervical cancer. This eliminates it based on the disease it prevents.
By elimination, Cervavac remains. Confirming that it is indeed the indigenous Indian HPV vaccine developed by the Serum Institute of India solidifies it as the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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