Cervarix

Human Papillomavirus vaccine Types 16 and 18 (Recombinant, AS04 adjuvanted).

1 dose (0.5 mL) contains: Human Papillomavirus type 16 L1 protein¹ 20 micrograms; Human Papillomavirus type 18 L1 protein¹ 20 micrograms; 3-O-desacyl-4'- monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL)² 50 micrograms; Aluminium hydroxide, hydrated² 0.5 milligrams Al³⁺.
¹L1 protein in the form of non-infectious virus-like particles (VLPs) produced by recombinant DNA technology using a Baculovirus expression system.
²The GlaxoSmithKline proprietary AS04 adjuvant system is composed of aluminium hydroxide and 3-O-desacyl-4'-monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) (see Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics under Actions).
Excipients/Inactive Ingredients: Sodium chloride, sodium dihydrogen phosphate dihydrate, water for injections.

Pharmaco-therapeutic group: Papillomavirus vaccines. ATC Code: J07BM02.
Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics: Mechanism of Action: Persistent infection with oncogenic HPV types has been demonstrated to be responsible for virtually all cases of cervical cancer worldwide.
Cervarix is a non-infectious recombinant vaccine prepared from the highly purified virus-like particles (VLPs) of the major capsid L1 protein of oncogenic HPV types 16 and 18. Since the VLPs contain no viral DNA, they cannot infect cells, reproduce or cause disease. Animal studies have shown that the efficacy of L1 VLP vaccines is largely mediated by the development of an humoral immune response and cell-mediated immune memory.
Cervarix is adjuvanted with AS04 which has been shown in clinical trials to induce a higher and long lasting immune response compared to the same antigens adjuvanted with aluminum salt [Al(OH)₃] alone.
Invasive cervical cancer includes squamous cervical carcinoma (84%) and adenocarcinoma (16%, up to 20% in developed countries with screening programs).
HPV-16 and HPV-18 are responsible for approximately 70% of cervical cancers and 70% of HPV related high-grade vulvar (VIN 2/3) and vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VaIN 2/3) across all regions worldwide.
Other oncogenic HPV types (HPV-31, -33, -35, -39, -45, -51, -52, -56, -58, -59, -66, -68) can also cause genital cancers. HPV-16, -18, -45 and -31 are the 4 most common types identified in squamous cervical carcinoma (approximately 76%) and adenocarcinoma (approximately 91%).
Evidence of Anamnestic (Immune Memory) Response: The administration of a challenge dose after a mean of 6.8 years following the first vaccination elicited an anamnestic immune response to HPV-16 and HPV-18 (by ELISA and pseudovirion-based neutralizing assay) at day 7. One month after the challenge dose, GMTs exceeded those observed one month after the primary vaccination course.
An anamnestic response was also observed for the related types HPV-31 and HPV-45 by ELISA.
Prophylactic Efficacy: Clinical efficacy in women aged 15 to 25 years: The efficacy of Cervarix was assessed in 2 controlled, double-blind, randomised clinical studies (HPV-001/007 and HPV-008) that included a total of 19,778 women aged 15 to 25 years at enrollment.
Clinical trial HPV-001/007 was conducted in North America and Latin America. Study HPV-023 followed-up subjects from the Brazilian cohort of study 001/007. Study entry criteria were: negative for oncogenic HPV DNA (HPV-16, -18, -31, -33, -35, -39, -45, -51, -52, -56, -58, -59, -66 and -68) in cervical samples, seronegative for HPV-16 and HPV-18 antibodies and normal cytology. These characteristics are representative of a population presumed naive to oncogenic HPV types prior to vaccination.
Clinical trial HPV-008 was conducted in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Australia.
Pre-vaccination samples were collected for oncogenic HPV DNA (HPV-16, -18, -31, -33, -35, -39, -45, -51, -52, -56, -58, -59, -66 and -68) testing and serum testing for HPV-16 and HPV-18 antibodies. Women were vaccinated regardless of baseline cytology and HPV serological and DNA status. These characteristics are representative of a population which includes women with evidence of past and/or current HPV infection.
As in any prophylactic efficacy trial, subjects initially infected with a particular HPV type were not eligible for the efficacy assessment of that type.
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2 and 3 (CIN2+) was used in the clinical trials as a surrogate marker for cervical cancer. Persistent infection that lasts for at least 6 months has also been shown to be a relevant surrogate marker for cervical cancer. Although CIN grade 1 is not a surrogate marker for cervical cancer, these lesions require medical follow-up.
1. Vaccine efficacy against HPV-16/18 in women naive to oncogenic HPV types (studies HPV-001/007/023): Efficacy results for histological endpoints associated with HPV-16 and/or HPV-18 (HPV-16/18) observed in study HPV-001/007 (Total Cohort i.e. women who received at least one vaccine dose) are presented in Table 1.


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Efficacy against HPV-16/18 cytological abnormalities was 96.7% (95% CI: 87.3; 99.6).
Efficacy against HPV-16/18 persistent infection was 98.2% (95% CI: 89.5; 100) and 96.9% (95% CI: 81.4; 99.9) when using a 6-month and a 12-month definition, respectively.
In study HPV-023, subjects (N=437) were followed-up to 9.4 years (approximately 113 months) after dose one. There were no new cases of infection or histopathological lesions associated with HPV-16/18 in the vaccine group. In the placebo group, there were 4 cases of 6-month persistent infection, 1 case of 12-month persistent infection and 1 case of CIN1+ associated with HPV-16/18.
In the descriptive combined analysis of studies HPV-001/007/023, efficacy against HPV-16/18 incident and 6-month persistent infection was 91.0% (95% CI: 80.3; 96.5) and 96.8% (95% CI: 80.4; 99.9), respectively. Despite evidence of continuous exposure to HPV infections as observed in the control group, there is no evidence of waning protection in vaccinated women.
2. Vaccine efficacy in women with evidence of past and/or current HPV infection (study HPV-008): 2.1. Prophylactic efficacy against HPV-16/18 in women naive to HPV-16 and/or HPV-18: In study HPV-008, the primary analyses of efficacy were performed on the According to Protocol cohort (ATP cohort: including women who received 3 vaccine doses and were naive to the relevant HPV type at month 0 and month 6) and the Total Vaccinated Cohort-1 (TVC-1 cohort: including women who received at least one vaccine dose and were naive to the relevant HPV type at month 0). Both cohorts included women with normal or low-grade cytology at baseline and excluded only women with high-grade cytology (0.5%).
In addition, analyses of efficacy were performed on the broader Total Vaccinated Cohort (TVC) and TVC-naive.
In study HPV-008, approximately 26% of women had evidence of current and/or prior HPV-16/18 infection and less than 1% of women were HPV DNA positive for both HPV-16 and HPV-18 types at baseline.
The final analysis of study HPV-008 was event-triggered, i.e. was performed when at least 36 CIN2+ cases associated with HPV-16/18 were accrued in the ATP cohort. The mean follow-up was approximately 39 months post dose one.
End of study analysis was performed at the end of the 4-year follow-up period (i.e. 48 months post dose one) and included all subjects from the Total Vaccinated Cohort (TVC).
In the protocol-specified analysis, vaccine efficacy against CIN1+ and CIN2+ associated with HPV-16/18 was statistically significant in the ATP and TVC-1 cohorts.
Further investigation identified that several CIN3+, CIN1+ and CIN2+ cases had multiple oncogenic HPV types in the lesion. In order to distinguish between the HPV type(s) most likely to be responsible for a lesion, from the HPV type(s) only temporally associated, an HPV type assignment was applied (exploratory analysis). The HPV type assignment considered the HPV types detected by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in at least one of the two preceding cytologic samples, in addition to types detected in the lesion. Based on this HPV type assignment, the analysis excluded cases (in the vaccine group and in the control group) which were not considered to be causally associated with HPV-16 or HPV-18 infections acquired during the trial.
The results observed in both analysis (i.e. protocol-specified analysis and HPV type assignment) are presented in Table 2.


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In addition, at the time of final study analysis, statistically significant vaccine efficacy against CIN2+ associated with HPV-16 and HPV-18 individually was demonstrated in both cohorts for each analysis.
Vaccine efficacy against 6-month and 12-month persistent infection and cytological abnormalities (≥ASCUS) associated with HPV-16/18 was also assessed. The observed vaccine efficacy against each endpoint was statistically significant in both cohorts: At the time of final study analysis: 6-month persistent infection: 94.3% (91.5; 96.3) in ATP cohort and 90.2% (87.3; 92.6) in TVC-1 cohort;
12-month persistent infection: 91.4% (86.1; 95.0) in ATP cohort and 85.3% (79.9; 89.4) in TVC-1 cohort;
cytological abnormalities (≥ASCUS): 89.0% (84.9; 92.1) in ATP cohort and 86.7% (82.8; 89.8) in TVC-1 cohort.
At the end of study analysis: 6-month persistent infection: 94.3% (92.0; 96.1) in ATP cohort and 91.0% (88.5; 93.0) in TVC-1 cohort;
12-month persistent infection: 92.9% (89.4; 95.4) in ATP cohort and 88.2% (84.5%; 91.2%) in TVC-1 cohort;
cytological abnormalities (≥ASCUS): 90.7% (87.8; 93.1) in ATP cohort and 88.6% (85.6; 91.0) in TVC-1 cohort.
At the time of the final study analysis, statistically significant vaccine efficacy against VIN1+ (vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 and higher grade lesions) or VaIN1+ (vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 and higher grade lesions) associated with HPV-16/18 was also observed in both cohorts: 80.0% (96.1% CI: 0.3; 98.1) in ATP cohort and 83.2% (96.1% CI: 20.2; 98.4) in TVC-1 cohort. At the end of study analysis, vaccine efficacy against VIN1+ or VaIN1+ associated with HPV-16/18 was 75.1% (95% CI: 22.9; 94.0) in ATP cohort and 77.7% (95% CI: 32.4; 94.5) in TVC-1 cohort. There were 2 cases of VIN2+ or VaIN2+ associated with HPV-16 or HPV-18 in the vaccine group and 7 cases in the control group in the ATP cohort. The study was not powered to demonstrate a difference between the vaccine and the control group for these endpoints.
There was no evidence of protection from disease caused by the HPV types for which subjects were HPV DNA positive at study entry. However, individuals already infected with one of the vaccine-related HPV types prior to vaccination were protected from clinical disease caused by the other vaccine HPV type.
2.2. Overall impact of the vaccine on HPV disease burden: The overall vaccine efficacy irrespective of HPV DNA type in the lesion and stratified by baseline HPV DNA and serostatus was evaluated in study HPV-008.
In the TVC and TVC-naive cohorts which included all vaccinated women, vaccine efficacy against CIN3+, CIN2+ and CIN1+ was demonstrated (Table 3). The impact of Cervarix on reduction of local cervical therapy (Loop Electro-Excision Procedure, Cone, Knife or Laser) was also demonstrated in the same cohorts (Table 3).
The TVC-naive is a subset of the TVC that includes women with normal cytology, and who were HPV DNA negative for 14 oncogenic HPV types (HPV-16, -18, -31, -33, -35, -39, -45, -51, -52, -56, -58, -59, -66, -68) and seronegative for HPV-16 and HPV-18 at baseline.


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2.3. Prophylactic efficacy against infection by oncogenic HPV types other than HPV-16 and HPV-18: In study HPV-008, vaccine efficacy against 12 non-vaccine oncogenic HPV types (HPV-31, -33, -35, -39, -45, -51, -52, -56, -58, -59, -66, -68) was evaluated in ATP and TVC-1 cohorts.
At the time of the final study analysis, statistically significant vaccine efficacy against CIN2+ for all HPV types combined (HPV-31, -33, -35, -39, -45, -51, -52, -56, -58, -59, -66, -68) excluding HPV types 16 and 18 was demonstrated with 54.0% (96.1% CI: 34.0; 68.4) in ATP cohort and 46.0% (96.1% CI: 27.0; 60.3) in TVC-1 cohort. At the end of study analysis, vaccine efficacy against CIN2+ for all HPV types combined excluding HPV types 16 and 18 was 46.8% (95% CI: 30.7; 59.4) in the ATP cohort and 40.8% (95% CI: 25.5; 53.1) in the TVC-1 cohort.
At the time of the final study analysis, statistically significant vaccine efficacy against 6-month persistent infection and against CIN2+ has been observed for the following individual HPV types: 6-month persistent infection: types 31, 33, 45 in ATP cohort; types 31, 33, 45, 51 in TVC-1 cohort.
CIN2+: types 31, 51, 58 in ATP cohort; types 31, 33, 35, 51 in TVC-1 cohort.
At the end of study analysis, more cases were accrued and a lower limit of the 95% CI above zero has been observed for HPV types 31, 33, 45 and 51 for both 6-month persistent infection and CIN2+ in the ATP and TVC-1 cohorts. For CIN2+, a lower limit of the 95% CI above zero has also been observed for HPV type 39 in the ATP cohort and HPV type 66 in the TVC-1 cohort.
Vaccine-Induced Immunogenicity: The antibody response to HPV-16 and HPV-18 was measured using a type specific ELISA which was shown to strongly correlate with neutralisation assays (including pseudovirion-based neutralizing assay developed by the US National Cancer Institute). Transudation of antibodies from serum to the cervical mucosa has been demonstrated in clinical trials.
The immunogenicity induced by three doses of Cervarix has been evaluated in over 5000 female subjects from 9 to 55 years of age.
In clinical trials, more than 99% of initially seronegative subjects had seroconverted to both HPV types 16 and 18 one month after the third dose. Vaccine-induced IgG Geometric Mean Titres (GMT) were well above titres observed in women previously infected but who cleared HPV infection (natural infection). Initially seropositive and seronegative subjects reached similar titres after vaccination.
Immunogenicity in women aged 15 to 25 years: In study HPV-001/007, the immune response against HPV-16 and HPV-18 was evaluated up to 76 months post dose one in women 15 to 25 years old at the time of vaccination. In study HPV-023, this immune response continued to be evaluated up to 9.4 years post dose one in a subset of the population from study HPV-001/007.
In study HPV-023, 100% of women were seropositive for both HPV-16 and HPV-18 by ELISA or by pseudovirion-based neutralizing assay (PBNA) up to 9.4 years after first vaccination.
Vaccine-induced IgG Geometric Mean Titres (GMT) for both HPV-16 and HPV-18 peaked at month 7 and then declined to reach a plateau from month 18 with no substantial decline up to the end of the follow-up period (month 113). At month 113, GMTs for both HPV-16 and HPV-18 were still at least 10-fold higher than titres observed in women previously infected but who cleared HPV infection (natural infection) and 100% of the women were seropositive for both antigens.
In study HPV-008, immunogenicity up to month 48 was similar to the response observed in study HPV-001/007. A similar kinetic profile was observed with the neutralizing antibodies.
Bridging the efficacy of Cervarix demonstrated in 15 to 25 year olds to other age groups: In a pooled analysis (HPV-029, -030 & -048), 99.7% and 100% of females aged 9 years seroconverted to HPV types 16 and 18, respectively after the third dose (at month 7) with GMTs at least 1.4-fold and 2.4-fold higher as compared to females aged 10-14 years and 15 to 25 years, respectively.
In two clinical trials (HPV-012 & -013) performed in girls aged 10 to 14 years, all subjects seroconverted to both HPV type 16 and 18 after the third dose (at month 7) with GMTs at least 2-fold higher as compared to women aged 15 to 25 years.
In an ongoing clinical trial (HPV-070) performed in girls aged 9 to 14 years receiving a 2-dose schedule (0, 6 months or 0, 12 months), all subjects seroconverted to both HPV types 16 and 18 one month after the second dose. The immune response after 2 doses in females aged 9 to 14 years was demonstrated to be non-inferior to the immune response after 3 doses in women aged 15 to 25 years.
The efficacy of Cervarix is inferred on the basis of immunogenicity data observed in girls vaccinated from age 9 to 14 years.
Clinical studies: See Pharmacodynamics.
Pharmacokinetics: Evaluation of pharmacokinetic properties is not required for vaccines.
Toxicology: Pre-clinical Safety Data: Non-clinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, acute and repeated dose toxicity, local tolerance, fertility, embryo-foetal and postnatal toxicity (up to the end of the lactation period).

Cervarix is indicated in females from 9 through 25 years of age for the prevention of persistent infection, premalignant cervical lesions and cervical cancer (squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma) caused by oncogenic Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 16, and 18 (see Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics under Actions and Precautions for more information on HPV 16, 18 and other oncogenic types).

The vaccination schedule depends on the age of the subject (see Table 4).


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Although the neccessity for a booster dose has not been established, an anamnestic response has been observed after the administration of a challenge dose (see Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics under Actions).
Cervarix is for intramuscular injection in the deltoid region (see Precautions and Interactions).

Insufficient data are available.

Cervarix should not be administered to subjects with known hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine (see Description).

It is good clinical practice to precede vaccination by a review of the medical history (especially with regard to previous vaccination and possible occurrence of undesirable events) and a clinical examination.
As with all injectable vaccines, appropriate medical treatment and supervision should always be readily available in case of a rare anaphylactic event following the administration of the vaccine.
Syncope (fainting) can occur following, or even before, any vaccination as a psychogenic response to the needle injection. It is important that procedures are in place to avoid injury from faints.
As with other vaccines, the administration of Cervarix should be postponed in subjects suffering from acute severe febrile illness. However, the presence of a minor infection, such as a cold, should not result in the deferral of vaccination.
Cervarix should under no circumstances be administered intravascularly or intradermally. No data are available on subcutaneous administration of Cervarix.
As for other vaccines administered intramuscularly, Cervarix should be given with caution to individuals with thrombocytopenia or any coagulation disorder since bleeding may occur following an intramuscular administration to these subjects.
As with any vaccine, a protective immune response may not be elicited in all vaccinees.
Cervarix is a prophylactic vaccine. It is not intended to prevent progression of HPV-related lesions present at the time of vaccination. Cervarix does not provide protection against all oncogenic HPV types (see Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics under Actions). Vaccination is primary prevention and is not a substitute for regular cervical screening (secondary prevention) or for precautions against exposure to HPV and sexually transmitted diseases.
Vaccination alongside cervical screening will reduce the risk of cervical cancer further than screening alone. It is important to continue cervical screening (i.e. pap smear, VIA) after vaccination and follow recommended local screening guidelines.
There are no data on the use of Cervarix in subjects with impaired immune responsiveness such as patients receiving immunosuppressive treatment. For these individuals, an adequate immune response may not be elicited.
Duration of protection has not fully been established. Sustained protective efficacy has been observed for up to 9.4 years after the first dose. Long-term studies are ongoing to establish the duration of protection (see Pharmacology: Pharmacodynamics under Actions).
Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines: No studies on the effects on the ability to drive or use machines have been performed.

Pregnancy: The effect of Cervarix on embryo-foetal, peri-natal and post-natal survival and development has been assessed in rats. Such animal studies do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to fertility, pregnancy, embryonal/foetal development, parturition or post-natal development.
Data in pregnant women collected as part of clinical trials, pregnancy registries, and epidemiological studies do not suggest that vaccination with Cervarix alters the risk of abnormal outcomes in neonates including birth defects. Data are insufficient to conclude whether or not vaccination with Cervarix affects the risk of spontaneous abortion.
Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, are advised to postpone vaccination until completion of pregnancy.
Lactation: The effect on breast-fed infants of the administration of Cervarix to their mothers has not been evaluated in clinical studies.
Cervarix should only be used during breast-feeding when the possible advantages outweigh the possible risks.
Serological data suggest a transfer of antiHPV16 and antiHPV18 antibodies via the milk during the lactation period in rats. However, it is unknown whether vaccine-induced antibodies are excreted in human breast milk.

Clinical Trial Data: In clinical studies, a total of approximately 45,000 doses of Cervarix were administered to approximately 16,000 subjects aged 9-72 years. These subjects were followed to assess the safety of the vaccine.
The most common reaction observed after vaccine administration was injection site pain which occurred after 78% of all doses. The majority of these reactions were of mild to moderate severity and were not long lasting.
Adverse reactions considered as being at least possibly related to vaccination have been categorised by frequency.
Frequencies are reported as: Very common (≥1/10); Common (≥1/100 to <1/10); Uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); Rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000).
Infections and infestations: Uncommon: upper respiratory tract infection.
Blood and lymphatic system disorders: Uncommon: lymphadenopathy.
Nervous system disorders: Very common: headache.
Uncommon: dizziness.
Gastrointestinal disorders: Common: gastrointestinal including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: Common: itching/pruritus, rash, urticaria.
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue and bone disorders: Very common: myalgia.
Common: arthralgia.
General disorders and administration site conditions: Very common: injection site reactions including pain, redness, swelling, fatigue.
Common: fever (≥38°C).
Uncommon: other injection site reactions such as induration, local paraesthesia.
Post Marketing Data: Immune system disorders: Rare: allergic reactions (including anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions), angioedema.
Nervous system disorders: Rare: syncope or vasovagal responses to injection, sometimes accompanied by tonic-clonic movements.

Use with other vaccines: Cervarix can be given concomitantly with any of the following vaccines: reduced antigen diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccine (dTpa), inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) and the combined dTpa-IPV vaccine; hepatitis A (inactivated) vaccine (HepA), hepatitis B (rDNA) vaccine (HepB) and the combined HepA-HepB vaccine.
Administration of Cervarix at the same time as Twinrix (combined HepA-HepB vaccine) has shown no clinically relevant interference in the antibody response to the HPV and hepatitis A antigens. AntiHBs geometric mean antibody titers were lower on co-administration, but the clinical significance of this observation is not known since the seroprotection rates remain unaffected. The proportion of subjects reaching antiHBs ≥10 mIU/mL was 98.3% for concomitant vaccination and 100% for Twinrix alone.
If Cervarix is to be given at the same time as another injectable vaccine, the vaccines should always be administered at different injection sites.
Use with hormonal contraceptive: In clinical efficacy studies, approximately 60% of women who received Cervarix used hormonal contraceptives. There is no evidence that the use of hormonal contraceptives has an impact on the efficacy of Cervarix.
Use with systemic immunosuppressive medications: As with other vaccines it may be expected that in patients receiving immunosuppressive treatment an adequate response may not be elicited.

Instructions for Use/Handling: A fine white deposit with a clear colourless supernatant may be observed upon storage of the syringe/vial. This does not constitute a sign of deterioration.
The content of the syringe/vial should be inspected visually both before and after shaking for any foreign particulate matter and/or abnormal physical appearance prior to administration.
In the event of either being observed, discard the vaccine.
The vaccine should be well shaken before use.
Instructions for administration of the vaccine presented in pre-filled syringe: 1. Holding the syringe barrel in one hand (avoid holding the syringe plunger), unscrew the syringe cap by twisting it anticlockwise.
2. To attach the needle to the syringe, twist the needle clockwise into the syringe until the patient feels it lock.
3. Remove the needle protector, which on occasion can be a little stiff.
4. Administer the vaccine.
Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.
Incompatibilities: In the absence of compatibility studies, this medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products.

Store in a refrigerator (2°C-8°C). Do not freeze.
Store in the original package in order to protect from light.
Cervarix should be administered as soon as possible after being removed from the refrigerator.
However, stability data generated indicate that Cervarix presented in monodose containers remains stable and can be administered in case it has been stored outside the refrigerator up to three days at temperatures between 8°C and 25°C or up to one day at temperatures between 25°C and 37°C.
Shelf Life: 5 years.

Vaccines, Antisera & Immunologicals

J07BM02 - papillomavirus (human types 16, 18) ; Belongs to the class of papillomavirus vaccines.

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