HIV Vaccine: Don’t Give Up On Condoms Yet
September 25th, 2009
I’m hesitant to jump up and down just yet, but breaking news this week is that a new HIV vaccine could cut infection rates by 31%. This is good news in what has been a difficult road of research. More than 16,000 people were involved in the trial, which took place in Thailand. Vaccines are usually more effective than 31%, yet if this outcome is consistent in further investigation, even this rate could cut HIV infection prevalence significantly. (Vaccine effectiveness rates differ, but for example, the HPV vaccine is estimated at being close to 100 % effective. However, critics point out we don’t know how long that immunity lasts, making the HPV vaccination schedule questionable).
Offering a vaccine that reduces infections by 31% would be great and could benefit millions, but what about the 69% vaccinated who don’t benefit from it? It’s an ethical question that also arises in the development of microbicides, another prevention tool being researched. Even if new prevention methods can’t offer 100% protection (nor do condoms), they can expand options.
Not knowing who will be protected and who won’t makes ongoing HIV prevention education a must. Participants in the vaccine trial were counseled on safer sex and provided with condoms so that ideally, they weren’t putting themselves at risk. This also happens in microbicide trials – it wouldn’t be ethical to do otherwise.
But this vaccine news is heartening. Just last week I attended a summary of July’s International AIDS Society Conference presented by Dr. Mark Tyndall. He reported that the feeling at the conference was that the passion for vaccine development has died down because of lack of progress. As of July, hopes for significantly cutting infection rates had turned to the idea of treating people earlier than before. And now this new hope.
It will be great to see what the next few years bring in response to this study. There is still much to learn about HIV, as new prevention technology advocates and research scientists will attest. There is no one magic answer, and maybe never will be. With more people on treatment (where governments can afford and support it), ongoing sexual health and safer sex education, and the potential of a vaccine and microbicides, we just could be turning a corner. But don’t give up on those condoms yet. They’ll be an essential part of HIV prevention for years to come.
- Janet
This blog represents the ideas of individual writers, and does not necessarily reflect any formal stance taken by Positive Women's Network.
This was posted on Friday, September 25th, 2009 at 10:00 am and is filed under HIV Prevention, News . Feel free to respond, or trackback.
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