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HIV/AIDS vaccine ends 1st-phase tests

By Zhang Feng (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-06-12 08:51

In the 25-year history of the AIDS pandemic, at least 120 vaccines have been tested, and only one, AIDSVAX, has completed the full three-phase trial process. However, it ultimately proved a failure.

"The HIV virus has many sub-types and keeps changing. This makes it incredibly difficult for scientist to find an effective vaccine," said Zeng Yi, an expert with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

He urged the government to invest more in research work given the country currently has over 650,000 HIV carriers.

"A special national foundation should be established to enhance the development of a vaccine. In the coming years, at least 1 billion yuan (US$120 million) must be invested," Zeng said in a report published recently.

Due to the lack of financial support and shortage of qualified researchers progress has been slow, Zeng said.

He said that in developed countries, thanks to good public education, medical treatment and high-risk activities intervention, the epidemic has been effectively controlled.

However, for developing countries like China, more action still needs to be taken in AIDS education, prevention and control.

Because of this, a vaccine is urgently needed to curb the rapid spread of the virus.
Zeng noted that the economic losses brought by AIDS to China in the coming five years are estimated to exceed 300 billion yuan (US$42.25 billion).

Among China's HIV/AIDS cases, 49.8 per cent were transmitted by unsafe sex, 48.6 per cent by drug injection, and 1.6 per cent from mothers to babies, Zeng said.