E-DRUG: On-line mini-series: Translating need into reality - AIDS Vaccine
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An on-line mini-series to help inform community advocacy
As a follow-up to last month's World AIDS Vaccine Day (18 May), the Health & Development Networks (HDN) is pleased to announce a new project initiated by HDN in partnership with the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) and the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC).
HDN will launch the project on the 26th July with a series of short on-line
'mini-briefings', including:
* Why we need an AIDS vaccine
* Vaccine science and clinical trials basics
* Vaccines research as part of the comprehensive response to AIDS
* How communities are being involved in the process
* What can be done to support and accelerate research
HIV prevention is for life. And just as no single drug or medical approach
is effective in treating a person living with HIV and AIDS, a combination
approach and supportive environments are needed to prevent HIV transmission.
But the range of HIV prevention options we have available is not enough. The development of new preventive technologies such as vaccines and microbicides is an essential component of a comprehensive response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
A vaccine to prevent HIV is possible. The science is moving forward,
research sites are active all over the world and there is a constant flow of new ideas in the field.
With global attention and political support visibly shifting to make AIDS
programmes more inclusive of HIV prevention, it is critical that communities taking part in testing of potential vaccines - and ultimately using them - are aware of some of the science underlying how vaccine trials work, what is happening in the vaccine development field, how communities are involved, what the countries and sponsors are doing to ensure the highest ethical standards and many other issues. All of this is essential to inform the connections that are being made with the other components of the response to AIDS and to provide evidence to inform advocacy in this area. In much the same way that AIDS treatment literacy and awareness improved dramatically over the past ten years alongside related advocacy, the seemingly complex field of AIDS vaccines should also be demystified.
How to take part
Health & Development Networks, in conjunction with IAVI and AVAC, is
delighted to make two regional eForums - AF-AIDS (a regional eForum on HIV
and AIDS in Africa) and SEA-AIDS (a regional eForum on HIV/AIDS in
Asia-Pacific) - available for this series.
As ever, there are also opportunities for forum members to follow this
informal assessment review of the AIDS vaccine field and to raise issues or
questions. If you are not yet a member of the forums and would like to
follow or take part in the informal 'mini-briefings', you can join as
follow:
* Africa: Send an email to the AF-AIDS
<mailto: join-af-aids@eforums.healthdev.org>
eForum or go to the website
<http://www.healthdev.org/eforums/AF-AIDS>
* Asia Pacific: Send an email to the SEA-AIDS
<mailto: join-sea-aids@eforums.healthdev.org>
eForum or go to the website
<http://www.healthdev.org/eforums/SEA-AIDS>
We encourage you to engage in the eForum discussions that may arise in
response to the online 'mini-briefings' and hope the series is of value to
you. We look forward to hearing from you during the coming months.
Mathurot Chuladul
eForums Strategic Coordinator
Health & Development Networks (HDN)
Email: mathurot@hdnet.org
Web: www.hdnet.org and
www.healthdev.org/eforums
About IAVI
The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative <http://www.iavi.org/> (IAVI) is
a global not-for-profit organization whose mission is to ensure the
development of safe, effective, accessible, preventive HIV vaccines for use
throughout the world. Founded in 1996 and operational in 23 countries, IAVI
and its network of collaborators research and develop vaccine candidates.
About AVAC
Founded in 1995, the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition's
<http://www.avac.org/> (AVAC) mission is to speed the ethical development
and global delivery of preventive HIV vaccines. AVAC is a watchdog, educator and advocate. We address ethical issues, critique the work of industry and government, provide education and mobilization services, and speak on behalf of affected communities with a credible, impartial, and objective voice. AVAC is a coalition of volunteer advocates and paid staff.