CAMEROON: HIV vaccine development tops meeting agenda

Some 200 experts are reviewing the current status of HIV vaccine research and development at a gathering that kicked off on Monday in Yaounde, capital of Cameroon.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), delegates at the three-day forum will also examine a range of challenges concerning Africa's active participation and contribution to the project.

WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Luis Gomes, said in a statement, "On top of the great scientific challenges that need to be overcome in order to develop an HIV vaccine, Africa is currently facing the need to strengthen capacity in many areas in order to support such research."

Five African countries are conducting phase I and phase II clinical trials of candidate HIV vaccines, and one large-scale phase III trial involving 16,000 volunteers is underway in Thailand.

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]