New HIV vaccine trial in South Africa

5,400 South Africans to receive HIV vaccine trial in November, raising hopes of world's first vaccine

The vaccine, called ALVAC-HIV/gp120, is an improved version of the Thai-made RV144 vaccine that has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection by 30%. According to City Press, the trial took place on 5,400 volunteers who tested negative for the virus at 15 sites in South Africa. Last year, ALVAC-HIV/gp120 was administered to 252 people and the results were "beyond expectations".

Photo: Upi.com

"We changed the adjuvant dose to induce a stronger immune response, and added a booster shot to prolong the duration of protection,"Linda-Gail Bekker, deputy director of the Desmond Tutu HIV Prevention Centre in Cape Town, saidVolunteers will receive five injections over 12 months. The follow-up period to determine the vaccine's effectiveness is two years.

Experts reviewALVAC-HIV/gp120 appears to be very promising, responding well to Africans and causing no side effects."This is an important trial that could lead to the first licensed HIV vaccine in South Africa and the world," said Larry Corey, the trial's investigator.

According to VNE