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The first human clinical trials of HIV-Aids vaccines developed in South Africa have been launched in Cape Town. The trials are a culmination of eight years of research involving scientists from across the world.

The vaccines were developed by the University of Cape Town with technical help from the US National Institutes of Health, which also manufactured the vaccine. President of the SA Medical Research Council, Anthony Mbewu says they are optimistic that the trials of the vaccines will produce positive results.

Mbewu says, “There had been quite a few HIV-vaccines clinical trials in South Africa  over the last ten years, but this is the first time that a HIV-vaccine, designed in South Africa has gone into phase-one trials in South Africa. We are fairly hopeful that we might produce some positive results but whatever we learn from this phase one trial, will be used in designing other vaccines and continue the research effort to find a vaccine that works.”

Earlier, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said almost 800 000 people in South Africa living with HIV and Aids are currently on anti-retroviral treatment.

Source: SABC NEWS