Joint HIV/AIDS Vaccine Research Program To Test Candidate in Sweden, Tanzania
A vaccine candidate developed under a joint research program between Sweden and Tanzania will be tested in Phase I clinical trials beginning in October, Reuters/Independent Online reports. The DNA-MVA vaccine was developed by the HIV Vaccine Immunogenicity Study, which is funded by the European Union. The vaccine involves injecting a nonharmful component of HIV DNA into volunteers, who later receive a booster shot, according to Reuters/Independent Online (Reuters/Independent Online, 9/17). The Phase I trials will involve 40 volunteers from Sweden and 60 participants from Tanzania, according to the Dar es Salaam Daily News, Xinhuanet reports (Xinhuanet, 9/17). "Phase I trials will be conducted in Sweden starting next month, and we will do trials in Tanzania in the latter half of next year," Mohammed Bakari, a researcher at the Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, said, Reuters/Independent Online reports. Tanzania estimates that 2.2 million of its 34 million people are HIV-positive (Reuters/Independent Online, 9/17).
This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.