Highly effective antiretroviral-based HIV prevention plays an important role in ending the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. However, the sustainable control of the epidemic is hampered by unequal access to prevention options, including HIV testing, alongside with drug resistance and ongoing barriers to accessing sustainable HIV treatment. Therefore, an HIV vaccine, combined with effective prevention and treatment, remains an absolute necessity to control the epidemic. Yet, the recent discontinuation of four major vaccine efficacy studies is raising concerns about the future of HIV vaccine research and development globally, and particularly in the European region where funding for vaccine research and development has shrinked.
A viewpoint, published in PLOS Global Public Health, emphasises that supporting HIV vaccine research and development at the European level remains crucial: it is not only necessary to control the epidemic, but it promotes innovation, strengthens health security, epidemic preparedness, and health sovereignty while contributing to the economies of European nations.
Source : PLOS Global Public Health
Are you living with HIV/AIDS? Are you part of a community affected by HIV/AIDS and co-infections? Do you work or volunteer in the field? Are you motivated by our cause and interested to support our work?
Stay in the loop and get all the important EATG updates in your inbox with the EATG newsletter. The HIV & co-infections bulletin is your source of handpicked news from the field arriving regularly to your inbox.