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AFRICA

Africa needs an Aids vaccine for Africans
 

Although two thirds of all people living with HIV are in Africa, African vaccine research currently receives only 1,6% of the S2,5-billion spent on HIV research annually.

In a bid to shift the balance, international scientists, donors, politicians, research agencies and industry representatives will meet at Somerset West for two days next week.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the meeting aims to define a plan of action for the next seven years for the African Aids Vaccine Programme (AAVP), and to raise $233-million for the project.

WHO said in a statement on Thursday that although more than 30 HIV vaccine trials have been conducted globally since 1987, only two of these were carried out in Africa.

Some HIV strains present in Africa are different from those in other parts of the world and current vaccines tested in Asia or the United States may not be appropriate for Africans.

"A vaccine for Africa would be the best preventive measure against Aids," said Peter Piot, executive director of UNAids.

"Enormous efforts should go into this initiative, which could help address the health and development tragedy that Aids has become for many African countries."

WHO said one of the major obstacles for HIV vaccine research on the continent was the inadequacy of research infrastructure. Some of the anticipated $233-million will go to building up regional facilities and strengthening local expertise.

WHO said 70% of the 40-million HIV-positive people in the world were Africans. Among the participants at next week's meeting will be South African Health Minister Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, and Dr Awa Coll-Seck, Health Minister of Senegal.

The meeting is organised by WHO and the UNAids Secretariat, in collaboration with a number of other international organisations. - Sapa
AFRICA NEWS HOMEPAGE