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"Muwoli Mvula" [ Profil ] |
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Fw: [Youth Consultation] factsheet re: new HIV vaccine
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Oct 15th, 2009 - 03:33:14 |
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FYI
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mara Brotman"
To:
Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 4:33 PM
Subject: [Youth Consultation] factsheet re: new HIV vaccine
Hi all,
We have just published a fact sheet that digs into the science and
promises of the Thai HIV vaccine recently publicized around the world.
I hope this helps with your outreach! Please let me know if I can give
you a hand with more resources or information. You can find the fact
sheet at
http://www.catie.ca/catienews.nsf/00a48c8905294f0b8525717f00661eb8/b8a7be351001350885257647005574bb!OpenDocument
or in a list of other fact sheets that include health and safety
tips for H1N1 (swine flu) and other HIV-related concerns:
http://www.catie.ca/catienews.nsf/CATIE-NEWS
Some of the main points:
A positive result from a vaccine trial is encouraging given the long
history of HIV vaccine failures, yet we urge readers not to jump to
quick conclusions when assessing the results of this trial. The
reported effectiveness of the vaccine is based on a preliminary
analysis and many experts believe that it is not effective enough to
provide any practical benefit in prevention efforts. Still, the world
urgently needs an HIV vaccine and the Thai trial may be an important
step towards this elusive, yet vital goal.
History
Back in 2003, the poor results of both ALVAC and AIDSVAX led many
researchers to question the value of further large-scale trials of
these two vaccine candidates. However, amid some controversy, the U.S.
Military HIV Research Program, Sanofi-Aventis and the Thai Ministry of
Health decided to conduct a trial, called RV 144, that combined
injections of both ALVAC and AIDSVAX. This trial would last six years
and end up costing more than $US 100 million.
Results
For individuals hoping for a vaccine that will protect them from HIV
infection, these results are disappointing. A 31% reduction in
relative risk has no practical significance compared to the reduction
in risk that comes from consistently practicing safer sex or using
clean needles. All participants in the trial were counselled about the
importance of continuing to practice safer sex and avoid sharing
needles. The vaccine also has no impact on HIV levels after infection.
The big hope for this vaccine is that it could be used in combination
with other prevention methods, such as safer sex, in order to make a
difference in the total rate of HIV transmission among large
populations at risk. This is a relatively new idea in vaccine
researcha vaccine that doesnt provide much protection for an
individual, yet can make a big difference to the global spread of HIV.
The vaccine only provided an absolute risk reduction of 0.3%. That
means, for roughly every 1,000 people vaccinated, only three HIV
infections would be prevented. The vaccine requires a complex regimen
of four sets of injections over six months and, so far, there is only
evidence of protection for three years.
The combination vaccine was designed and tested to work against the
types of HIV that are common in Thailand (subtypes B and E). It is not
known whether or not the vaccine will work in parts of the world with
different subtypes, such as in Southern Africa. Also, the trial
recruited predominantly heterosexual people for whom the main route of
infection is vaginal sex. Because the main route of infection is
different for men who have sex with men and for injection drug users,
the clinical trial may not be applicable to these populations.
Ok, take care.
Mara
Mara Brotman
Coordinator, Communications and Social Marketing
Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange
416-203-7122 ext. 249
www.catie.ca
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Youthconsultation mailing list
Youthconsultation (at) worldaidscampaign.org
http://worldaidscampaign.org/mailman/listinfo/youthconsultation_worldaidscampaign.org
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