SA scientists are among the best

As many countries around the world report that Covid vaccines are effective in lowering rates of hospitalisation and death, it may seem to be bad news that an experimental HIV vaccine study has been halted because it is not effective.

Launched in 2017, the Imbokodo Study reached full enrolment in 2019 and completed vaccination in June 2020.

It aimed to evaluate the experimental regimen in approximately 2 600 women between ages 18 and 35 across five sub-Saharan Africa countries – Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids (UNAids), women and girls accounted for 63% of all new HIV infections in this region in 2020.

However, there is good news. The campaign to get an HIV vaccine continues and will, hopefully, end in success.

But, also, the fact that our medical scientists in South Africa were deeply involved in running the study is further confirmation that our experts are among the best in the world.

They have been leading the way in genome sequencing and identifying new variants of the coronavirus – something which has gained them worldwide recognition and admiration.

We salute the expertise and dedication of these people as they work to save lives.