US health authorities said Monday they were halting a trial in South Africa of an experimental HIV vaccine after it proved ineffective at preventing the infection.
The study, named HVTN 702, began in 2016 and involved the only vaccine candidate ever shown to provide some protection against the virus that causes AIDS, in an earlier trial in Thailand in 2009.
The trial enrolled about 5,400 HIV-negative volunteers at 14 sites across South Africa, consisting of sexually active men and women aged 18 to 35 years old. In an analysis, researchers examined the data from both groups after the participants had been involved in the study for more than 18 months -- the minimum time required for the vaccine regimen to stimulate an immune response.
"Whilst this is a significant setback for the field, we need to continue the quest for a preventive vaccine," said Linda-Gail Bekker, the trial's protocol lead and past president of the International AIDS Society.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
UKZN students torch HIV support centre on Durban campus
Read more »
Cocktail of flu, HIV drugs appears to help fight coronavirus: Thai doctorsThai doctors have seen success in treating severe cases of the new coronavirus with combination of medications for flu and HIV, with initial results showing vast improvement 48 hours after applying the treatment, they said on Sunday.
Read more »
South Africans urged to get flu vaccine amid coronavirus outbreak - SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader.Medical experts have urged South Africans to get flu vaccinations to protect themselves against flu-like symptoms and suspicions of contracting the coronavirus.
Read more »
POLITICAL WEEK AHEAD: Battles involving Zuma, Ramaphosa and Mkhwebane head to courtThe former president’s graft, fraud and racketeering trial resumes
Read more »
POLITICAL WEEK AHEAD: Battles involving Zuma, Ramaphosa and Mkhwebane head to courtThe former president’s graft, fraud and racketeering trial resumes
Read more »
No coronavirus vaccine will be ready before mid-2020, says execNo manufacturer will have a coronavirus vaccine ready for use before the middle of 2020, despite an intensive global effort, a biotech executive told AFP on Friday.
Read more »