What was the vaccine?
The jab was a new version of the first HIV-vaccine candidate shown to provide some protection against the virus - in the RV144 clinical trial, in Thailand. There are many different strains of HIV and the vaccine had been adapted to the subtype most common is South Africa, which has one of the highest HIV rates in the world. There were great hopes that the vaccine would work and it could then be adapted to cover other strains of HIV circulating in other parts of the world.What happened in the trial?
Volunteers were randomly assigned to receive either the vaccine or placebo injections. And preliminary data showed:- 129 HIV infections among the vaccine recipients
- 123 HIV infections among those given the dummy jab
How can HIV be stopped?
A drug treatment called pre-exposure prophylaxis (Prep) is effective at preventing HIV infection but, unlike a vaccine, it needs to be taken regularly, even daily. In countries where such treatments may not be available, the only effective prevention remains using condoms during sexual intercourse - or abstinence. Recent breakthroughs in anti-retroviral treatments have improved the lifespan of people with HIV. Debbie Laycock, Head of Policy at Terrence Higgins Trust said: "Through regular testing, condoms, Prep and effective treatment which means people living with HIV can't pass on the virus - we now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to end the HIV epidemic. It's vital we seize this."DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
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