–
Since 2016, a large-scale study in
South Africa will be examined how effective a vaccine against HIV could be. Now
the authorities stopped the study prematurely. Because: “There is at all
no evidence of the effectiveness of the vaccine, ”said Glenda Gray, who
President of the South African Medical Research Council (MRC).
The number of HIV infections in vaccinated people was practically the same as in the control group
More than 5,000 volunteers participated in the study
Participated, half of whom received the drug, the other half
Half a placebo. The modified version of a vaccine was tested
promising results from a previous clinical study in Thailand
had produced.
However: the scientists who carried out the study
were unable to benefit from the analysis of the data
Determine vaccination. In both study groups, the one with the vaccine and the
with the placebo, almost as many people were infected with HIV. “In
there were 129 in the vaccinated group and 123 in the placebo group, ”said Gray.
Now there is hope for further vaccines
Under these circumstances, the study said it was pointless
to continue, said the MRC President. The study, which will last until summer 2022
was then canceled. Gray said that she was “very sorry
disappointed ”. However, there is hope for a vaccine against HIV
further. “There are currently more products in phase 1 trials than we have had for a long time
Had time, ”explains AIDS expert Mitchell Warren, director of
HIV prevention group AVAC.
Because a vaccine is essential in the fight against HIV,
also emphasized Anthony S. Fauci, director of the
United States Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, NIAID. The
NIAID shared the study with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation at 104
Funded millions of dollars.
–
