July 20, 2009

Major HIV Vaccine Trial Continues Despite Funding Cut

Despite the lack of funding from South Africa’s government, clinical trials for an HIV vaccine that launched July 20 will continue with financial backing from the United States, The Associated Press reports.

According to Anna-Lisa Williamson, an AIDS researcher at the University of Cape Town’s Department of Science and Technology had stopped funding the South African AIDS Vaccine initiative this year, and the funding contract through public utility Eskom was not renewed when it ended last year.

In addition, AIDS activists and organizations have criticized the vaccine research, saying that the money would be better spent on prevention and education efforts.

“International organizations told Eskom that this was a terrible waste of money, that putting money into South African scientists was like backing the cart horse when they need to be backing the race horse,” Williamson said.

The vaccine has been developed to target the HIV subtype C strain, which is prevalent in southern Africa. Last year, South Africa had the highest rate of HIV infection with 5.2 million cases.

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Previous Comments:

Rick, , 2009-07-21 18:31:02
Brian, I agree with your comment about people criticizing vaccine efforts in South Africa. However, the same thing is happening here in the US. I have survived full blown AIDS for 14 years partially because of some differences in my genetic characteristics. I was recently treated at a major medical center where all of the doctors were completely baffled by my ability to recover from a major setback. Yet no one will study my genetic differences to determine if that can improve treatment

Brain, Houston, TX, 2009-07-21 11:46:04
It's stunning that people in SA would criticize vaccine efforts. Of course, this sort of ignorance is what led to a crushing wave of infections after South African government officials denied the existence of HIV. PBS did a very interesting documentary on this. The lesson that seems to work is that prevention, treatment, and research are the 3 tools to fight the spread, reduce the effects, and brighten the future. Ignoring abstinence, condoms, and testing has similar results.