By Nontobeko Mtshali
South African researchers have made history by developing an Aids vaccine that was clinically tested in the US for local use.
Professor Glenda Gray, of the Perinatal HIV Research Unit, on Monday said that unlike in the past, when developed countries produced vaccines and had them tested in developing countries, South Africa could now boast its very own vaccine.
Gray was speaking at the Banner of Truth Ministries Church in Devland, Joburg, as part of World Aids Vaccine Day celebrations.
Gray said that if the vaccine was a success it would be available to the public for free because the research was government funded.
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She explained that 12 Americans were nearing the end of the first phase of the vaccine's clinical trial, and the rollout would start in South Africa within the next three weeks.
"Without a vaccine, we won't be able to eradicate the disease. We try and we fail, but one day we're going to win," said Gray.
"We know that this virus is clever; we have to up our game. Just when we think we have it, it changes its form," she said.
Despite having tried to create a successful vaccine for 20 years, Gray said "some scientists believe we're almost there".
Community Advisory Board (CAB) chairwoman Gloria Malind said a vaccine was the only hope of beating the Aids pandemic. The CAB works with HIV/Aids researchers and protects the rights of volunteers who take part in trials.
"We came here to see if one day we'll get a vaccine that will be safe and efficient. Our hope is that we can lessen the number of people who are ill and those who are dying," she said.
Already the vaccine rollout has 18 confirmed participants in Soweto and another 18 in Cape Town, while 60 more are awaiting confirmation if they are eligible to go ahead with the rollout.
Gray said that for a person to be eligible to take part in a vaccine clinical trial, they had to be over 18 years of age and healthy.
"You have to be HIV-negative and in good health; we want people to be low-risk," she said.
Gray explained that no one takes part in the trial without being fully informed of what it entails.
She said common side-effects that participants experience included flu-like symptoms, nausea, stomach ache and dizziness.
"We never do trials if the benefits don't outweigh the risks," she said, adding that they had to go through stringent scrutiny before testing the vaccines on people.
Fikile Mkhatshwa, 37, volunteered to take part in a vaccine clinical trial in 2003. She said people are misinformed about these trial runs and stigmatise the volunteers, thinking they are HIV-positive.
"In order for you to understand, you must seek information and know what vaccination is. I would be happy to see the community conquering this," she said. My goal was not to do this for me, but for my kids and the next generations."
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This article was originally published on page 5 of The Star on May 19, 2009
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