As we prepare to commemorate HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (HVAD) on May 18, the field continues to see some modest scientific breakthroughs, while still facing extraordinary challenges.
Join us as we Commemorate HIV Vaccine Awareness Day
An HIV Vaccine: Looking into the Future with Nina Russell
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On HIV Vaccine Awareness Day in 2024, the field is confronting extraordinary breakthroughs and extraordinary challenges.
It’s considered one of the most important and most difficult scientific enterprises in the history of modern medicine—the hunt for an HIV vaccine. It has led to vast knowledge of HIV and the immune system, and to breakthrough technology (think COVID vaccines and mRNA platforms). But developing an effective HIV vaccine is still out of reach. Meanwhile, HIV incidence remains intractably high in hard-hit regions around the world, even as the field is hoping to speed up access to longer-acting PrEP. It’s a complex landscape, alongside incredibly complex science in HIV vaccine R&D.
In this episode of PxPulse, Dr. Nina Russell, Director of TB & HIV Research and Development for the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, talks about where she sees promise in the science, the goals for an HIV vaccine, and why it has an essential role to play, alongside the scale up of PrEP.
Listen
Resources
- Just What is Discovery Medicine? And what Does it Mean for HIV Vaccine Research, May 16 webinar
- HIV Vaccine and Antibody Efficacy Trials to Date, infographic
- From the Lab to the Jab, issue briefs
- Evolving Strategies for an HIV Vaccine: One researcher explains where the field is going and why? (21:23), PxPulse episode
- Research Fundamentals: An HIV Vaccine — What’s the challenge and what’s the science? (12:03), PxPulse episode
Cabotegravir Long-Acting Injectable for Prevention
Afrocab has developed a FAQ (below) that covers the topics of PrEP and explains how CAB-LA works, is taken, and its side effects.
The Years Ahead in Biomedical HIV Prevention Research
This graphic shows the updated status of large-scale prevention trials through the end of 2024.
Media Science Cafes
Since 2012, AVAC has worked to strengthen the capacity of journalists to report on HIV prevention research and global health and science topics. Through its flagship Media Science Café Program, AVAC partners with health media associations in Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe to connect journalists with subject matter experts—researchers, policymakers and advocates—and help build the relationships needed to foster accurate and informed reporting of HIV, COVID and emerging health and science issues.
Organizational Capability Statement
AVAC excels as a trusted convener, linking diverse stakeholders in HIV prevention and advancing global health equity through its 25+ years of expertise in advocacy, research, and policy development. We play a crucial role in driving the development, access, and adoption of innovative HIV prevention solutions—particularly in high-need communities—and swiftly respond to evolving health challenges worldwide.
AVAC Fellows Program
The AVAC Fellows program empowers advocates to create lasting impact within their communities and beyond. Alumni often pursue further training, lead advocacy movements, and play significant roles in shaping health policies and national strategies.
Advocacy to Accelerate Prevention R&D for Sexually Transmitted Infections
AVAC accelerates the development and delivery of STI prevention options by fostering collaborations with STI and HIV research advocates, developing new STI vaccines and diagnostics, and creating tools to monitor STI research and investment activities.
Our Work with Key Populations
AVAC advocates for effective HIV prevention, supports Key Population-led research participation, fights against criminalization policies, accelerates access to innovative prevention tools, and champions broader health equity issues.