ZIM MARCHES ON IN SEARCH OF HIV VACCINE

Talent Gore

LOCAL researchers and scientists at the University of Zimbabwe Clinical Trials Research Centre (UZ-CTRC) are stopping at nothing to ensure that an HIV Vaccine is found.

As the country joins the rest of the world in commemorating HIV Vaccine Awareness Day tomorrow, developing a vaccine that can prevent HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, has remained a top priority for global human health.

While HIV Vaccine trials have been ongoing for a long time, worldwide, Zimbabwe started the trials in 2016.

Different HIV Vaccine Trials have been conducted in the country and the results have contributed to medical advances for other diseases.

Speaking at a media science café organised by the Health Communicators Forum, UZ-CTRC Medical Research Investigator Dr Muchaneta Bhondai-Mhuri said the country had made strides in conducting HIV vaccine trials.

“As a country we have made strides in HIV prevention and already have a couple of HIV prevention modalities which have been approved,” she said.

“We have made strides because we have participated in HIV vaccine trials, we have our own investigators in this country who have acted as co-chairs in these trials which means we have participated at a high level and we have made significant contributions towards vaccine prevention.

“However, an HIV vaccine is still necessary in the fight against HIV because it eliminates the stigma that is associated with going looking for an HIV prevention tool from your clinic, no one really wants to be seen going to the clinic daily to look for a prevention pill.”

Dr Bhondai-Mhuri said despite all the efforts that have been made towards finding a cure, the biggest challenge was that there has not been a vaccine, despite all these years of HIV prevention trials and HIV Vaccine trials.

“An HIV vaccine is likely to be one of the best tools in the prevention against HIV compared to any other methods, it’s likely in the long run going to be more effective than most prevention tools because one doesn’t need to visit their clinic often, one doesn’t have to get too frequent doses,” she said.

“So, as a country, we will need a method that is cost effective in prevention against HIV and safeguarding the health of our people.”

Dr Bhondai-Mhuri added that there was a need to ensure that HIV prevention tools are accessible to those most in need and there is also a need new ways to stop the spread of HIV.

“Although some highly effective HIV prevention tools are available, the epidemic continues. This is partly due to the challenges people face when trying to adhere to effective prevention options,” she said.