HIV vaccine dominates talks at AIDS Conference

Friday, July 22, 2016

Durban – The week-long International Aids Conference at the Durban International Convention Centre has entered its last day and delegates are wrapping up their discussions which, for most of the conference, have centred on finding an effective vaccine for HIV and the ambitious call to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. 

Organisers say since the AIDS Conference held here in Durban in 2000, the battle to eradicate HIV across the world has had many victories.

Since 2010, they say, new HIV infections have fallen by 6% and nearly half of the people living with the virus have access to antiretroviral therapy. But the International AIDS Society (IAS) says much work still remains to win the war against AIDS.

“Current and forthcoming studies of vaccines to prevent HIV infections have created a new optimism that the long and challenging road to development of such a vaccine have begun to take some promising turns,” IAS said.

South Africa has presented updates on the research for preventative vaccines at the conference, which included information on advances in the development of a novel vaccine and in the field of antibody mediated prevention (AMP).

The AMP study is arguably the most important vaccine trial in seven years, which will happen on South African soil, led by South African scientists at the Medical Research Council.

At least 5 000 patients between the ages of 18 and 35 will be enrolled on the vaccine trial and scientists are optimistic they will see results in four to five years.

Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, will close the AIDS conference this afternoon.

The South African Presidency said the delegation remained cognisant that to achieve an HIV-free generation would require commitment from the international community, among others, and consistent investment in research and development that could lead to new options for a vaccine and a functional cure for HIV. – SAnews.gov.za