India's homegrown cervical-cancer vaccine just earned WHO's stamp for the whole world

For years, the HPV vaccine that prevents cervical cancer has been too expensive for much of the world. Now India's answer has cleared the highest bar in global health. CERVAVAC, developed in India by the Serum Institute with the country's biotechnology department, the WHO's cancer research agency, and the Gates Foundation, received WHO prequalification on September 25 — announced October 5. The stamp means UN agencies can now buy the gender-neutral vaccine, which covers the four main HPV types for girls and boys aged 9 to 26, for immunization programs worldwide. It is the Serum Institute's 32nd WHO prequalification — and the first time a made-in-India cervical-cancer shot can officially reach every child who needs one.