The HIV Vaccine is finally coming in market. More than 60 years after the first known case of human HIV infection. And after 40 years, a vaccine is finally on the horizon.
In Phase, Clinical trial that began way back in 2018. Scientists at the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) and Scrips Research gave two doses of 48 participants. Results shown that the vaccine stimulated the immune system. These vaccines produced the rare but powerful antibodies. As a result, these antibodies protect against various strains of HIV in 97 percent of recipients.
Grand Partnership for the development of the HIV Vaccine
Now, IAVI and Scripps Research have announced. That, they will continue building on that first study’s success. They have started their partnership with Moderna. The Moderna is the producers of the mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine . They apply their mRNA-based technology to boost the development of the HIV vaccine.
HIV has taken the lives of approximately 75.7 million people globally since the beginning. Though deaths are much lower now. There is a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It estimates that 1.2 million Americans live with HIV today. The UNAIDS estimates that around 690,000 people died from AIDS in 2019.
Developing a the HIV Vaccine is a considerable challenge. The virus replicates in less than 24 hours and mutates at a rapid rate. However, its deadliest quality of HIV directly targets the immune system. It is taking out the very cells of primary defense line of body.
Production of new specialized BLood Protiens
This new potential vaccine works by stimulating the immune system. It produce “broadly neutralizing antibodies,” or bnAbs, specialized blood proteins.I Experts foundd these specilized blood protiens AIDS survivors in 1990.
These bnAbs can attach to hard-to-access HIV “spikes” and disable the virus. Scientists’ new ability to spur bnAb production in humans could lead to vaccines for other difficult-to-manage viruses.
However, news of this trial and its success has brought some grief as well as relief. In tweets and postings online, several people have pointed out that though mRNA vaccine technology work progress.
In the 1990s, it took COVID-19 to bring it to fruition. Meanwhile, HIV vaccine research has been going on a decade longer. Since the 1980s, and is only moving forward. And, the reason is the success of COVID-19 drugs.
One viral tweet qouted the fact: It’s certainly not lost on me, a queer person. That a global pandemic that affected ‘everyone’ spurred the development of an mRNA vaccine in *record time*. And that that mRNA technology is now being used to develop the HIV vaccine.
Regardless, the news of an active preventative drug against a disease is a big news. Especially, when disease has taken so many lives. Particularly,If this HIV vaccine passes subsequent trials. Then, it will bring the good news for marginalized communities. Moreover, this HIV vaccine rollout could potentially save a significant number of lives for years to come.
