| In the News |
 |
New vaccine could be good news for D.C. residents
Breakthrough Made in HIV-AIDS Vaccine
By: Sherri Ly, My Fox Washington D.C.
Washington, D.C. - September 25, 2009
For the first time, scientists have found a vaccine that prevents HIV infection. It's a huge step forward, especially in cities like D.C., which now has the highest rate of HIV infection in the country.
The vaccine reduced the risk of infection by more than 31 percent during the world's largest AIDS vaccine trial in Thailand. The success, although modest, is a breakthrough because every HIV/AIDS vaccine before this has failed.
"This is not a cause for celebration that we have a vaccine. It's a cause of celebration that we now have a clear pathway," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which co-sponsored the trial.
This new vaccine is a combination of two previous versions that together somehow prevented infection in a modest percentage of people. That's reason for optimism, but it's far from full proof. Scientists don't know why it worked for some but others still got infected. It's a starting point.
"Is this the endgame? No. Is this going to be the last thing? Absolutely not. This is essentially a very important step forward to where we want to be, which is a much better and more optimal vaccine," Fauci said.
On the frontlines of the epidemic, a new HIV/AIDS clinic in the District of Columbia is proof how far we have to go. D.C. health officials estimate one out of every 33 people in the District is infected. Actor Blair Underwood, who has worked as an AIDS activist in Africa, says the numbers in the district can't be ignored.
"You can't see that and know what's happening in our own backyard, in America, and then here in our nation's capital to have the highest rate of HIV and AIDS, it's almost embarrassing it's happening in our nation's capital," Underwood told FOX 5.
The actor spoke at the ribbon cutting for the clinic, which is run by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and is named for Underwood. The clinic will provide treatment for HIV/AIDS, access to specialists, medication and other services. AHF's president, Michael Weinstein, says prevention remains the best way to keep from getting infected and is skeptical of the new vaccine.
"The number of people percentage wise is not that great. I think it's premature to see this as a breakthrough," Weinstein said.
Given the vaccine only modestly reduced the risk of infection, Weinstein says "I worry that any agent we might use that isn't effective for the vast majority of people will encourage people to have unsafe sex. They think they'll be protected."
Even scientist involved in the trial say it's a mistake to believe this vaccine will be ready anytime soon.
"You're asking the question, how long would it take to get this good enough for prime time? It's going to be measured in years. So I think people should not think that a few months from now they're going to hear, 'Okay, now we'll have a vaccine.' I'll guarantee you that is not going to happen," Fauci said.
The vaccine trial used strains of HIV common in Thailand but because the virus is constantly changing and strains differ from country to country, it's unclear if this vaccine would work on the type of HIV here in the U.S.
- My Fox Washington D.C.
http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/health/092409_breakthrough_made_in_hiv_aids_vaccine#
