http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/09/sav001-hiv-vaccine-side-effects-adverse_n_2102593.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular
One Step Closer
The researchers from the University of Western Ontario have been working hard and may have developed a vaccine for HIV. Christened SAV001-H, it has been tested on a subject, and so far hasn't shown any adverse side effects and also seemed to boost the body's antibody formation against the virus. "Sumagen announced today the patient enrollment has progressed smoothly and there have been no adverse effects observed including local reactions, signs/symptoms and laboratory toxicities after SAV001-H injection in all enrolled patients to date."
It now goes on to further testing to see how safe this vaccine really is. The FDA has already approved a medication that will prevent HIV in healthy people, called Truvada. This pill is specifically for people who are at a high risk, such as their partner is infected. They take the pill and then they may sleep safe at night. This current vaccines though is very exciting and could be the first step towards eliminating HIV-Aids.
While it is an exciting prospect, it sounds like it is unfortunately just that at this point. The article said that the drug will now go on to testing to see if it can truly make people immune to the disease that causes AIDS. HIV/AIDS is a huge global problem, but it is also in my eyes a very expensive and difficult problem that is dollar for dollar much less effective than simple, cheap treatments for other global issues like malaria and TB. Regardless, it is important that we continue to study these diseases as the first step to developing a cheap vaccine will inevitably developing an expensive one.
ReplyDeleteIts great to hear that there is still progress to be made, its curious on how this vaccine could possibly be used in the developing world. Also the cost of pill when its actually in full production. In order for a vaccine to work there needs to be herd immunity that means the vaccine will be cheap enough to give out to the majority of the population. Seeing how how current HIV medicines are very expensive, the vaccine would need to be much cheaper.
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