ICMR trials of Serum's HPV jab Cervavac may start next month

Trials will check for efficiency and side-effects and decide if a single dose is enough

- Somrita Ghosh

Serum's Cervavac is new, and WHO has suggested observing its effects for 2 years. WHO has okayed a single dose for Merck's vaccine Gardasil

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will shortly start trials of the Cervavac vaccine to prevent cervical cancer, two officials aware of the matter said. The vaccine, developed by the Serum Institute of India, was introduced in private hospitals last year.

ICMR and Pune's National Institute of Virology will jointly conduct the trial, expected to start next month.