title: HIV/AIDS vaccines for Africa: scientific opportunities, challenges and strategies.
abstract: More than decades have already elapsed since human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was identified as the causative agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The HIV has since spread to all parts of the world with devastating effects. In sub-saharan Africa, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has reached unprecedented proportions. Safe, effective and affordable HIV/AIDS vaccines for Africans are therefore urgently needed to contain this public health problem. Although, there are challenges, there are also scientific opportunities and strategies that can be exploited in the development of HIV/AIDS vaccines for Africa. The recent RV144 Phase III trial in Thailand has demonstrated that it is possible to develop a vaccine that can potentially elicit modest protective immunity against HIV infection. The main objective of this review is to outline the key scientific opportunities, challenges and strategies in HIV/AIDS vaccine development in Africa.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, P O Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Nyasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chin'ombe
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, P O Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: Vurayai
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ruhanya
mesh_terms: D016915:AIDS Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health
chemical_list: D016915:AIDS Vaccines
keywords: Africa; HIV/AIDS; vaccines