Cervavac vs Gardasil-4: Which HPV Vaccine Should You Choose for Your Child?
- AJAY GUPTA
- Sep 12
- 2 min read
The other day, a mother sat in my clinic with a calculator in one hand and worry in her eyes.“Doctor, Gardasil-4 costs so much more than Cervavac. I don’t want to miss out on protection for my child, but the price difference is confusing. Is Cervavac cheaper because it’s less effective. What should I pick from Cervavac vs Gardasil 4 ?”
I smiled and told her what I’m going to tell you now: sometimes in medicine, affordable doesn’t mean ‘less’, it just means ‘made closer to home.’ 😊
First, what do these vaccines do?
Both Cervavac (made in India) and Gardasil-4 (imported, used globally for 15+ years) protect against the same 4 HPV types (6, 11, 16, 18).
Types 16 & 18 cause nearly 70% of cervical cancers.
Types 6 & 11 cause 90% of genital warts.
So whether you choose Cervavac or Gardasil-4, the disease protection is the same.
Then why the price difference?
Think of it like this: Gardasil is like an international brand handbag—you pay extra for the import tag, the long history of global usage, and international safety data.
Cervavac, on the other hand, is like a good-quality Indian-made handbag—designed for our people, locally produced, and therefore much lighter on the pocket. The vaccine is developed by India’s Serum Institute, recently got WHO approval, and has shown excellent protection in Indian studies.
So the difference is not in “what it protects against” but in cost, global usage history, and brand familiarity.
Cervavac vs Gardasil 4. What about safety?
Gardasil-4: Used for 15+ years worldwide. Millions of doses given. Very strong safety record.
Cervavac: Newer, but trials in India have shown it’s safe and effective. Plus, WHO’s stamp of approval adds another layer of confidence.
So, what should you do?
If money is not an issue, Gardasil-4 is a safe bet because of its long global track record.If you’re balancing your budget (which most parents are!), Cervavac gives the same protection at a fraction of the price. You’re not missing out on coverage.
The most important thing is not which brand you pick, but that you actually get your child vaccinated. Because protection against HPV means protection against cancers tomorrow.
Dr. Ajay’s Simple Takeaway
“Don’t let price tags confuse you. Cervavac and Gardasil-4 are like two different routes to the same destination—protection for your child. One takes a luxury car, the other a perfectly good Maruti. Both reach safely.” 🚗💨
So go ahead, choose what suits your pocket, and give your child the gift of future protection.
Still confused? Drop your question to me at WhatsApp here or visit my clinic to discuss the right vaccine for your child.