India Launches 9-Valent HPV Vaccine

ANI in Mumbai reported on September 29, 2021,  MSD Pharmaceuticals announced the launch of the Gardasil 9 Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to help reduce the HPV-related cancer burden in India.

Gardasil 9 is a 9-valent HPV vaccine that reduces cancers caused by the HPV types contained in the vaccine among girls and women aged 9-26 years and boys aged between 9-15 years.

Additionally, Gardasil 9 helps reduce cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer, and anal cancer among females.

The vaccine is also recommended to be given to boys to prevent genital warts, anal intraepithelial neoplasia, anal cancer, and precancerous or dysplastic lesions.

The Managing Director of MSD-India region, Rehan A Khan, added in a press statement, "Launching GARDASIL 9 is a crucial step towards advancing the mission of building a healthy young India by reducing the disease burden of HPV-related cancers and disease in the country."

"HPV does not discriminate between males and females. Therefore, vaccinating both boys and girls is a common practice, and today nearly 25 countries recommend 'Gender Neutral Vaccine' programs for protecting both genders against infectious diseases."

First launched in the USA in 2015, Gardasil 9 has been approved in more than 80 countries worldwide. The Gardasil 4-valent vaccine has been approved in India since 2008. 

Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a Merck & Co., Inc. subsidiary, produces the Gardasil 9 vaccine.