WHO prequalifies Serum Institute of India’s quadrivalent HPV vaccine, CERVAVAC | Explained
The WHO has granted prequalification to the Serum Institute of India's CERVAVAC, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine. This status allows the vaccine to be procured by UN agencies for global immunization programs, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Why it matters
This is a significant milestone for global health equity, increasing the availability of affordable, locally-produced vaccines for cervical cancer prevention.
The story so far: The Serum Institute of India’s indigenously developed quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, CERVAVAC, has received prequalification from the World Health Organization (WHO), allowing the vaccine to be procured by United Nations agencies and potentially supplied to countries running HPV immunisation programmes. The WHO lists its prequalification as effective from September 25, 2026.
The development is significant for India as well as the global effort to prevent cervical cancer. CERVAVAC is India’s first indigenously developed gender-neutral quadrivalent HPV vaccine and targets HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. It is licensed in India for girls and boys aged 9 to 26 years.
CERVAVAC is the first Indian-made quadrivalent HPV vaccine to receive WHO prequalification. This prequalification means the vaccine has met WHO standards for quality, safety and efficacy, following evaluation of data, samples and manufacturing sites.
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