MSD Pharmaceuticals, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merck Sharp & Dohme (known as Merck & Co., Inc. in the United States and Canada), announced the launch of India’s first gender-neutral HPV vaccine- GARDASIL 9. The 9-valent Human Papillomavirus (Types 6, 11, 16,18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58 ) vaccine, will help reduce the burden and cancers of the disease caused by the HPV types contained in the vaccine, among Indian girls and women (9-26 years) and Indian boys (9‐15 years).

Current estimates indicate that every year 96,922 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 60,078 lose their battle against the disease. Cervical cancer ranks as the 2nd most frequent cancer among women in India and the 2nd most frequent cancer among women between 15 and 44 years of age.

9 HPV Serotypes contribute to a majority of HPV Global Disease Burden, and some are even more prominent in India. For instance, 98.3% of cervical cancer cases; 95% of Vulvar cancer Cases; 77% of Vaginal cancer cases and 70% of Anal cancer cases in India, can be attributed to the 7 HPV serotypes

GARDASIL 9-valent Human Papillomavirus vaccine is the only U.S. FDA approved vaccine, first launched in the US in 2015 and already approved in more than 80 countries across the globe, that helps protect against 9 types (Types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58) of HPV. The vaccine helps reduce the disease burden of cervical cancer; vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer and anal cancer among females and continues to play a crucial role in the global elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem. HPV-related cancers and diseases can also affect males, and the GARDASIL 9-valent Human Papillomavirus vaccine is also recommended to be given to boys (aged 9-15 years) for prevention of genital warts, anal intraepithelial neoplasia; anal cancer and precancerous or dysplastic lesions.

Reaffirming the crucial need of raising awareness on HPV vaccinations as part of preventive health care for both young boys, girls and women in our country, Rehan A. Khan, Managing Director, MSD- India Region, said, “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. With HPV affecting both genders, GARDASIL 9 demonstrates our commitment towards bringing a gender-neutral HPV vaccine to our country that addresses certain HPV related diseases, among Indian girls, women and boys and continues to promote preventive he