Mexico City: There is great news for people around the world on the occasion of World AIDS Day. For the first time, scientists have claimed to have invented a 100% effective vaccine against HIV virus. A person taking 2 doses of this vaccine in a year can remain completely protected from HIV infection. Scientists conducted a study on women and found that a vaccine given twice a year is 100 percent effective in preventing HIV infection.
According to the report, the results published on Wednesday showed that it is almost equally effective in men. It has been called the world's closest vaccine so far against the AIDS virus. Drugmaker Gilead said it would allow cheaper, generic versions to be sold in 120 poor countries with high HIV rates – mostly in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. But this does not include almost the entire Latin America, where the infection rate is very low but is increasing rapidly.
Executive Director of UN AIDS said unprecedented
Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS (United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS), said, “This vaccine is significantly better than any other prevention method available to us. This is unprecedented.” He credited Gilead for developing the drug, but said the world's ability to stop AIDS depends on its use in at-risk countries. In a report released on Sunday to mark World AIDS Day, UNAIDS said the number of AIDS deaths last year was an estimated 630,000, the lowest since 2004. This shows that the world is now at “a watershed moment” and there is a chance to end this pandemic.
The drug 'Lenacapavir' is already sold under the brand name 'Sunlenka' for the treatment of HIV infection in the US, Canada, Europe and elsewhere. The company is planning to seek permission soon for the use of 'Sanlenka' for prevention of HIV. Experts say the twice-a-year doses of Gilead's vaccine will be especially useful for marginalized people. (AP)
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