A highly anticipated HIV vaccine trial, known as this decade’s “last roll of the dice,” has halted its vaccine component due to disappointing results. Led by African researchers with European support, the PrEPVacc prevention study aimed to assess two experimental HIV vaccines alongside a new form of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
The trial’s leadership emphasized that safety concerns were not an issue but cited the vaccine’s ineffectiveness in preventing HIV as the reason for halting the vaccine component. The oral PrEP component will, however, continue.
The failure of the experimental vaccines represents a significant setback for the medical community, which has faced challenges in developing an HIV vaccine for 36 years. Despite a decline in new HIV infections since the mid-1990s, UNAIDS reports that 39 million people worldwide currently live with the infection, with women and girls, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, disproportionately affected.
The PrEPVacc trial, involving 1,500 volunteer participants in Uganda, Tanzania, and South Africa, focused on women, constituting 87% of the participants. Reflecting on the results, Chief Investigator Pontiano Kaleebu emphasized the need for a “new generation of vaccine approaches and technology” and urged the development of an HIV vaccine as a critical goal for Africa.
Director Dr. Eugene Ruzagira acknowledged the scientific challenges but expressed high hopes for future success, noting that important research like PrEPVacc is advancing the field. Participants, including Luwano Geofrey, the first trial participant in Masaka, Uganda, were commended for their courage despite community disinformation and social stigmas.
While the full results of the vaccine component are expected to be published in the summer of 2024, researchers remain optimistic about the ongoing pursuit of an effective HIV vaccine, underscoring the importance of continued research and community involvement.