Advertisement

Mboup, who spoke at the 3rd Social Aspects of HIV/Aids Research Alliance (SAHARA) conference in Senegal, did not hold out much hope for the development of an effective vaccine anytime soon, and said that 'more basic research is needed to produce new generations of more potent candidate vaccines'.

'Iterative learning process'
Until such time, scientists must continue testing selected candidate vaccines in clinical trials, including large-scale trials, as part of an 'iterative learning process'.

He quoted Margaret Heckler who announced in 1984 that an HIV vaccine would be on clinical trials within the next two years. Nearly ten years later, with the disappointing results from the first phase III efficacy trials in 2003, it dawned on the world that developing an HIV vaccine will be a major scientific challenge.

Explaining the myriad of scientific, regulatory and ethical aspects involved in finding a vaccine for HIV, Mboup said one of the most difficult issues to solve is the increasingly complex and dynamic shifting molecular patterns of the virus.

The main classification of the two types of HIV, namely HIV-1 and HIV-2, can be divided into three groups, and four subtypes. Inter-subtypes of the virus recombine to form increasingly more complex molecular patterns, which impacts on the development of vaccines.

International solidarity essential
Mboup said the African Aids Vaccine Programme (AAVP) – a network of African scientists and communities working on HIV vaccine research and evaluation in Africa – are developing and implementing different activities that include advocacy, information and resource mobilisation; biomedical sciences (laboratory and clinical); population studies (epidemiology and socio-behavioural issues); ethics, law and human rights; and national strategic planning.

He said once a vaccine has been developed, 'international solidarity will be essential to make it available to all countries and populations in need'. – (Ina van der Linde, HSRC)
 

Print this article on

Rate this article Poor 1 2 3 4 5 Excellent

JOBS

Operations Manager R20,000-25,000 Per Month Cost To Company Incl Benefits Gauteng - East Rand Financial Accountant: CA(SA) R400,000-500,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Gauteng - Johannesburg Key Account Manager Gauteng Java Developer-CT Western Cape - Cape Town Java Developer-Jozi Gauteng Account Manager R460,000-540,000 Per Annum Cost To Company Plus Benefits Gauteng Account Manager R460,000-540,000 Per Annum Market Related Plus Benefits South Africa Case Manager R210,000-220,000 Per Annum Negotiable Gauteng - Pretoria Find more jobs Register your CV Post a job