SOUTH AFRICA

HIV vaccine on its way - Minister

Sustained research programmes will eventually lead scientists to develop a vaccine for the prevention and treatment of HIV, South Africa's Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said last week. He was addressing reporters in Johannesburg after the announcement of the discovery of a method to develop antibodies able to kill multiple strains of HIV, reports Sapa.

"I think we are a step closer to the day when we will have a viable vaccine. This announcement is welcomed with pride by the department of health as it tells us more about the HIV virus," he said.

The research was primarily funded by the US vaccine research centre, and the science and technology department. The scientists worked in the 'Caprisa' consortium of Aids researchers, which includes the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the University of the Witwatersrand, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, the University of Cape Town, and Columbia University in the US.
Full report on the Independent Online site