Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI-IAVI) in partnership with Uganda Network Of Aids Organization (UNASO) set to discover human vaccine aimed at boosting and neutralizing anti bodies.
Speaking during UVRI-IAVI HIV Vaccine held at Nakiwogo Comprehensive Secondary School in Entebbe Dr. Brenda Okech, Director Uganda virus research institute (UVRI-IAVI) expressed his excitements upon the day’s commemorations.
“This is a very special occasion to us an institute and now especially that we are carrying out a very vital role aimed at changing lives.
“UVRI-IAVI recently released some very good news about a proof of concepts for a vaccine that will be able to stimulate humans to produce broadly neutralizing anti bodies.”
Okech said, “As UVRI-IAVI, we are under preparations to do face one study of broadly neutralizing anti bodies that has been prepared in the lab. This broadly neutralizing anti bodies are supposed to do the work of preventing HIV among people who are HIV negative. since it’s a proof of concept,
According to Okech, the study will first be targeting a few people with low risk.
“We are very optimistic that this will be a success and right we are more than ready to take on the mantle.
The trials according to Okech are going to be happening in in south Africa, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda among others. This is exciting to be able to test these products that’s a broadly neutralizing anti body prepared in the laboratory.”
She added that, “we are here just to keep all our focus on the facts that an HIV vaccine is very important and as I have been sharing, we have news that its possible to get an HIV vaccine, its still some years away but its possible. So today we have several activities taking place, we are explaining to the stake holders we have in the community because this work involves people.
So, we are here to spread the news about the vaccine with an answer. So, the team is here to explain to them and as well we have our collaborators and stake holders from MRC, London school collaborations, district stake holders our medical personal that we work with.
Richard Serunkuma, a member on a community advisory board of Uganda Virus Research institute representing the people living with HIV/AIDS on the camp cited that, “Its indeed a very important day because it provides us with a chance to say hello to the volunteers and the scientists.”
