UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Serum Institute’s HPV shot gets WHO pre-qualification

Q1. With reference to the WHO prequalification of vaccines, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. WHO relies on the regulatory oversight exercised by a functional national regulatory authority of the producing country when it prequalifies a vaccine.
  2. A vaccine that WHO has prequalified may be marketed in any WHO member state without separate approval from that country's regulator.
  3. The core purpose of prequalification is to assess whether vaccines from different sources are acceptable for purchase by UNICEF and other UN agencies.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. With reference to the valency of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A bivalent HPV vaccine is directed at the two types responsible for most cervical cancers, and so is not designed to prevent anogenital warts.
  2. The nonavalent vaccine extends quadrivalent coverage by adding further cancer-causing types rather than further wart-causing types.
  3. Because the quadrivalent vaccine also covers HPV types 6 and 11, it protects against a larger share of cervical cancers than a bivalent vaccine.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q3. Consider the following facts: In India, about 83% of invasive cervical cancers are attributed to HPV types 16 or 18; globally, these two types account for about 70% of cervical cancers. Cervavac protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above?

  1. The share of cervical cancers that a vaccine against HPV 16 and 18 could potentially prevent is higher in India than the global average.
  2. Women vaccinated with Cervavac will no longer need any cervical cancer screening during their lifetime.
  3. Including HPV types 6 and 11 in Cervavac raises the share of cervical cancers in India that it can prevent above 83%.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. A recombinant HPV vaccine such as Cervavac cannot cause HPV infection in the person who is vaccinated.
  2. Such a vaccine contains a living but weakened form of the virus that multiplies too slowly to cause disease.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q5. Cervavac is a recombinant vaccine based on virus-like particles (VLPs). In this context, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Its antigen is produced by expressing a viral gene in host cells, rather than by culturing and then killing the whole virus.
  2. It belongs to the same broad technology platform as the recombinant hepatitis B vaccine.
  3. Because its particles mimic the outer shell of the virus, antibodies raised against them can recognise the actual virus.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. A State government with a limited supply of HPV vaccine wants to design its vaccination drive in line with current WHO guidance. Consider the following statements about such a drive: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. Girls aged 9–14 should be prioritised, because the vaccine works best when given before exposure to the virus through sexual activity.
  2. Adopting a single-dose schedule for girls aged 9–14 is consistent with WHO guidance and lets the same supply cover more girls.
  3. Immunocompromised adolescents may also be given just one dose, since WHO now regards a single dose as sufficient for all groups.
  4. Vaccinating boys can be added as a secondary target where feasible and affordable, providing additional indirect protection.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2 and 4 only

Q7. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. WHO's strategy to eliminate cervical cancer sets targets for screening and treating women alongside its target for vaccinating girls.
  2. HPV vaccination prevents new infections but does not clear infections already established, so women infected before vaccination programmes began must still be detected and treated.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q8. Consider the following assertion: Cervavac is an example of a public–private–philanthropic model of product development. Which of the following statements support the above assertion?

  1. Government biotechnology bodies, the Department of Biotechnology and BIRAC, backed its development.
  2. Grant money from a charitable foundation was pooled with government support under the Grand Challenges India programme.
  3. The vaccine was developed and is manufactured by a privately owned company.
  4. After its launch, WHO assessed the vaccine and placed it on the list from which UN agencies may buy.
  • A. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4