IAS calls for PLHIV to be included in priority populations for COVID-19 vaccine rollout; Five studies featured at a press conference

Studies highlighted at IAS 2021 – the IAS Conference on HIV Science – include global WHO analysis indicating HIV is a significant independent risk factor for severe COVID-19 illness at hospitalization and for in-hospital death.

New evidence on HIV and TB drug resistance, updates on acceptability of HIV prevention tools and increased risk faced by women and girls under COVID-19 lockdowns will also feature at virtual conference.

15 July 2021: New studies to be presented at IAS 2021 – the 11th IAS Conference on HIV Science – show important progress in HIV prevention, treatment and cure efforts despite major disruption to HIV programmes and research during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several studies spotlight the intersection of the HIV and COVID-19 pandemics, including new evidence from a large-scale World Health Organization (WHO) analysis that HIV is a significant independent risk factor for severe COVID-19 illness at hospitalization and in-hospital death. There is also evidence from Uganda that women face increased risk of gender-based violence and HIV during COVID-19 lockdowns.

Convened by IAS – the International AIDS Society – the virtual conference will expect around 6000 participants from 18-21 July. The conference officially opens Sunday with remarks from speakers including German Chancellor Angela Merkel; and a panel discussion on the COVID-19 and HIV pandemics with global health experts including Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

The IAS featured five studies at a press conference held today to preview scientific highlights for media.

Read the full press release here.