March 01, 2007, 15:00
Forty-three volunteers have been vaccinated since the launch of the first large-scale HIV vaccine trial in Africa. Two clinics have been activated in the Phambili HIV vaccine study - in Soweto, Johannesburg and in Nyanga, Cape Town, said clinic staff.
Busi Nkala, the Soweto Phambili clinic programme director, said 37 people had volunteered since January with some participants already on second vaccinations.
Six people had joined the trial in Cape Town since the clinic opened last week, said Surita Roux, a co-investigator at the clinic.
Prominent South Africans support trial
Nkala said participants were given three vaccines in six months and monitored throughout the study's four-and-a-half year period. Enquiries about the vaccine had come from all over Johannesburg including the city's northern suburbs.
The trial requires 3 000 volunteers and was launched by the HIV Vaccine Trials Network and the SA Aids Vaccine Initiative (SAAVI) on February 8. In a statement released by the project, several prominent South Africans gave their support to the trial.
"I am excited to learn that we are a step closer to finding a way to prevent HIV infection, even though we know that it will still be years before we have a vaccine," said Desmond Tutu, the retired Archbishop of Cape Town.
Tutu hoped all South Africans will learn more about the study, think about participating, and support the study's volunteers.
Musicians lend their support
Edwin Cameron, a judge and an Aids activist said a vaccine will be "a huge breakthrough". "It will have a big impact on the epidemic everywhere - but particularly in the world's hardest-hit areas, most especially our own," he said.
The test vaccine had shown "great promise" in earlier trials, he said.
Hugh Masekela, a jazz musician, said: "An Aids-prevention vaccine will be a much welcome miracle for our country, the African continent and the world at large."
Freshly Ground, a music group had been excited to learn of the new trial, said Simon Attwell, a band member.
Loyiso Bala, R&B singer said: "It is studies like this that will make sure that we are preserved to keep on setting a great example of reconciliation to the rest of the world."
Participants armed with information
Researchers aim to find out if the vaccine can prevent HIV infection completely or lower the level of HIV in the blood if a person became infected after they were vaccinated.
Trial participants were provided information on the trial and screened for eligibility before enrolling.
The trial will be rolled out to five sites in South Africa. - Sapa
|
|
