GAVI Alliance aims to immunize 30 million girls against HPV

The GAVI Alliance wants to immunize 30 million girls worldwide with HPV vaccines by 2020. Pilot projects in select countries--mainly in sub-Saharan Africa--will roll out next year. GAVI is working with Merck ($MRK) and GlaxoSmithKline ($GSK) to nail down the most affordable prices for HPV vaccines. In 2011, Merck said it would provide the vaccine at $5 per dose, a 64% reduction in the current lowest public price. The FDA licenses two HPV vaccines in the United States: Merck's Gardasil and GSK's Cervarix. Jabs will go to girls ages 9 to 13. Release