'Cancer vax to cost between ₹200-400'

Scientific completion implies that R&D activities pertaining to the vaccine are complete and now the next step of making them available to the public would take place. Singh said Covid has raised awareness about preventive healthcare leading to the development of vaccines like the one against cervical cancer. "The schemes like Ayushman Bharat have made us think about preventive healthcare and we can now afford it. The Department of Biotechnology has taken a lead in the matter and are in collaborative mode," he said. "Scientific efforts at times do not get the scale of recognition they deserve. So this event is to celebrate that scientific completion," he said.

Poonawalla told reporters on the sidelines of the event, "The cervical cancer vaccine will be affordable and would be available in the range of Rs 200-400. However, the final price will be decided after detailed discussions with the government".

"The vaccine would be much much less in price as compared to other vaccines for cervical cancer," he said.

Poonawalla said the vaccine will be possibly launched by the end of the year.

First the vaccine would be made available through the government channel and from next year onwards some private partners would be involved too, he said.

Poonawalla also said that a plan to make 200 million doses is in place and first the vaccine would be given in India and only after needs of the country are fulfilled it will be exported to other countries.

Rajesh Gokhale, department of biotechnology secretary, said over 2000 volunteers participated across the country for this vaccine. PTI