PrEPVacc meets the media in Masaka
PrEPVacc investigators met with Ugandan health and science journalists to disseminate results from its vaccine trial on 28 August 2024 at the Evergreen Recreation Center in Masaka City.
The event, coordinated by Malik Fahad Jjingo as part of the Health Journalist Network in Uganda (HEJNU) was attended by 19 journalists from a range of media houses, and the meeting began with a word of prayer led by Kalyango Antonio from the Daily Monitor, followed by participant introductions.
Vincent Basajja, the MRC / UVRI and LSHTM coordinator of community engagement, explained the purpose of the meeting and the processes involved in conducting clinical trials. He described the background to the trial, which began in 2018, using vaccine candidates previously tested in Europe, the US, and Africa, and he emphasised the importance of cautious reporting to avoid victimising people living with HIV/AIDS.
Vincent presented the results of the PrEPVacc trial involving 1,512 randomised participants, noting that the vaccine did not pass the trial. He explained that while the vaccines were safe, they did not reduce HIV infection. More infections occurred in the vaccine groups, but without a clear explanation, cautious interpretation was advised.
The engagement concluded with a call for continuous HIV prevention strategies and more HIV vaccine clinical trials to find safe and effective vaccines.
The trial, led by African researchers based in Entebbe, Uganda, aimed to build on long-standing HIV prevention partnerships, including those with key figures from institutions including Imperial College, UK, IAVI-Kenya, and CHUV/EVF, Switzerland.
The meeting concluded with Vincent thanking the funders of the trial, including EDCTP.
Journalists applauded the researchers' efforts, with Malik expressing gratitude to MRC/UVRI for their continued support of science cafés organised by HEJNU in the Masaka region.