The Intersections of HIV and COVID-19 in Real-Time

As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on across the world, the latest crisis is markedly reminiscent of the early days of HIV. And while the HIV epidemic is far from over, unrelenting activism, strong community engagement, partnerships and innovation are to thank for the strides the field has made towards controlling the epidemic.

Now, the response to COVID-19 is drawing heavily from these successes, and at the same time, forcing even more innovation on the HIV front.

In this episode of Px Pulse, we’ve compiled excerpts from two April webinars that offer unique perspectives on how COVID-19 and HIV are shaping one another. First, Mark Feinberg, CEO of IAVI, and Helen Rees, Executive Director of the Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI), speak to COVID-19 vaccine development, and the role of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI) in spurring vaccine funding and collaboration. We then turn to community engagement experts Sinead Delany-Moretlwe, Director of Research at Wits RHI, Vincent Basajja of the Uganda Virus Research Institute, Jau Nanyondo from Uganda’s Makerere University Walter Reed Project and Philister Adhiambo from the Kenya Medical Research Institute, who explain how HIV prevention trials are adapting in the wake of COVID-19.

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Advocates Call for Ethical Research for COVID-19 Solutions

More than 260 organizations and individuals have joined an Advocates Call for Ethical Research for COVID-19 Solutions. Read the letter reiterating the essential role of ethical research, and the need to move forward based on facts and evidence, and help us carry this message forward!

Applying Lessons from Family Planning to HIV Prevention Product Introduction

An analysis of lessons and data from family planning in sub-Saharan Africa to better inform introduction of HIV prevention products and integration of HIV prevention into family planning settings.

Integration of HIV Prevention and Sexual Reproductive Health Services in Kenya

Findings from an assessment of HIV prevention and SRH integration in Kenya, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, comprised of site visits to health facilities, key informant interviews, civil society dialogues and a policy review.

HIV & Sexual and Reproductive Health Integration

Compilation of top learnings on and approaches to implementing HIV/SRH integration in sub-Saharan Africa, drawn from literature reviews, qualitative interviews, and an analysis of policy requirements for PrEP and family planning providers.

Exploring Integration of Family Planning and HIV Services

A literature review to identify existing knowledge on barriers and enablers to the integration of HIV and family planning services in sub-Saharan Africa, in order to understand the feasibility of providing existing and new HIV prevention options and services in family planning settings.

Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision for HIV Prevention (VMMC): An introductory factsheet

This introductory 2-page document explains how VMMC works, reviews the scientific evidence behind it, and outlines key advocacy issues for implementing it.

HVTN 702 and the Quest for Vaccine

One of the most anticipated HIV vaccine efficacy trials in the field—HVTN 702, or Uhambo—stopped vaccinations early after a scheduled review showed the vaccine did not offer protection.

The trial team will continue to follow participants over the next year to monitor safety and answer urgent questions raised by the trial results. In this episode of Px Pulse, HVTN 702 Protocol Co-chair and AVAC Board Member Linda-Gail Bekker explores what the trial team hopes to learn during the follow-up period and how these answers might impact the ongoing pursuit for an HIV vaccine. AVAC’s Regional Stakeholder Engagement Advisor Nandisile Luthuli also joins the conversation to shed light on the trial team’s plans for continuing community engagement, and AVAC’s Director of Research Engagement, Stacey Hannah, talks about the successes of the trial.

Vaccine Efficacy Trials Pipeline

This infographic shows a timeline for each of the three major vaccine efficacy trials proposed or underway now.

Vaccines Research Pipeline

This graphic shows the many types of Vaccines undergoing research, categorized by the immune response they are designed to elicit—broadly neutralizing antibodies, non-neutralizing antibodies, T-cell responses or a combination of these.