Blog Article by Duke Otieno
I had the privilege of representing KELIN at the Coalition to Accelerate and Support Prevention Research (CASPR) Research Literacy Initiative’s HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (HVAD) Vaccine Research Literacy Workshop, held at the Concord Hotel and Suites in Parklands Nairobi from the 21st-22nd May 2024. The two-day event organized by the International Aids Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) in collaboration with AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Association (AVAC) and the American Public Health Coalition (APHA) brought together a diverse group of regional advocates, researchers and scientists to deepen their understanding of the HIV vaccine development and address critical barriers in local manufacturing and intellectual property rights.
Workshop Highlights
During the workshop, an in-depth exploration of the HIV vaccine pipeline was discussed, tracing its past, present and future of the HIV vaccine. This was followed by a detailed discussion on the immune response to viral infections and emphasizing the role of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) which are special antibodies being researched that can play a role in HIV prevention. Participants then dived into identifying advocacy priorities which laid the ground for subsequent sessions on advocacy approaches for HIV prevention through immunization. Critical issues surrounding funding, local manufacturing, regulatory challenges and intellectual property (IP) barriers were highlighted with an emphasis on the importance of viewing vaccines as a safe and effective choice for effective HIV prevention. Below are some of the key discussions
I. Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies (bnAbs) as a HIV Vaccine Strategy- Participants gained a deep understanding of bnAbs and exploring their potential as a viable HIV vaccine strategy. Discussions emphasized the importance of continued research and community engagement to accelerate the development and deployment of bnAbs.
ii. Barriers to Local Manufacturing- The workshop highlighted significant challenges in local manufacturing of HIV vaccines including regulatory hurdles, IP barriers and insufficient funding among them. I used this chance to disseminate KELIN’s study on the status of local manufacturing and provide a comprehensive overview of existing challenges and potential solutions.
iii. Advocacy for HIV Vaccine Development: Advocates discussed strategic advocacy issues focusing on the need to remove IP barriers, enhance funding for vaccine research and improve regulatory frameworks to facilitate local manufacturing.
iv. Scientific Challenges in HIV Vaccine Development- The workshop also addressed scientific viral hurdles in developing an effective HIV vaccine, emphasizing the need for collaborative research and innovative approaches like use of AI to overcome these challenges.
Conclusion
Participants committed to leveraging their enhanced research literacy to advocate for improved HIV prevention strategies within their communities. The HVAD Vaccine Research Literacy Workshop demonstrated the power of collaborative advocacy and knowledge sharing in the fight against HIV. As participants return to their respective communities, they carry with them a strengthened capacity to champion the rights to health and equitable access to HIV prevention and treatment.
KELIN is committed to continued advocacy on HIV prevention as it is a fundamental human right to health!
