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Presently, there is no effective vaccine in
use to prevent infection of HIV/AIDS though scientists from
all over the world believe that it is possible to find one.
Several vaccine formulations are under clinical tests, being
conducted over long periods of time among different populations.
These vaccines are studied to find whether they are safe,
capable of producing the required immune response effectively
in the body to prevent the HIV infection. These trials can
be carried on humans only, as HIV is human specific.
Even if an effective HIV /AIDS vaccine is found, scientists
and doctors say that it may not be 100% capable of prevention.
But this applies to any other vaccine be it for diphtheria
or tetanus, measles or hepatitis. However, people have much
better chance of fighting infections if vaccinated.
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"It is critical
that the transmission of HIV/AIDS infection is
prevented. An effective vaccine that can prevent
this disease will be a cost effective tool for
control of the disease."
Dr.
APJ Abdul Kalam,
President of India
Address at the 9th Annual Meeting
(FORUM-9) of Global Forum for Health Research,
Mumbai |
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People can be sure of
preventing infection by following highly reliable methods
including condoms, clean needles and safe blood. However,
finding a suitable and safe vaccine would help fighting the
spread of HIV/AIDS.
India is now part of a global search for an AIDS vaccine.
An AIDS vaccine, once available, will be integrated into existing
HIV/AIDS prevention programmes. Partnered with the International
AIDS vaccine Initiative, the Government of India has taken
up the research study of an AIDS vaccine through the Tuberculosis
Research Centre, an institution under the Indian Council of
Medical Research (ICMR) and the National AIDS Control Organisation
(NACO). |
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The
Trial
In accordance with international regulatory requirements,
the vaccine clinical trial is carried out in three phases.
The first phase I trial is being conducted by National AIDS
Research Institute (NARI) through the state-level research
institute in Pune, Maharashtra. This is to conclude on the
ideal dosage of the vaccine, and see whether the human immune
system responds to it and also to study side effects if any,
in humans.
Another phase I trial is to be conducted at the Tuberculosis
Research Centre (TRC), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, which is an institution
governed by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). This
will study the refined dosage of the vaccine and the vaccination
schedule, besides finding human immune system's response to
it and side effects if any.
The Tuberculosis Research Centre at Chetput, Chennai has set
up Vaccine Trial Centre (VTC) in its premises to conduct the
trial on humans. The volunteers for the trial must be healthy
and not infected by HIV. The duration of this trial would
be two years approximately. |
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The
Organisers
International
AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI):
It is a global nonprofit Organisation founded in 1996. It
is working in 23 countries to accelerate search for a preventive
AIDS vaccine. Once available, the effective AIDS vaccine will
be globally accessible and affordable to those who need it
most, especially in developing countries. IAVI coordinates
with organisations worldwide in the search for an AIDS vaccine.
Since its inception, IAVI and its international partners have
advanced six preventive AIDS vaccine candidates from the concept
stage to human trials. IAVI is the second largest supporter
of AIDS vaccine research and development in the world.
IAVI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National
AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) through the Union Ministry
of Health and Family Welfare and the Indian Council of Medical
Research (ICMR) to develop a safe, effective and accessible
preventive AIDS vaccine for India.
National
AIDS Control Organisation (NACO):
It is the nodal Organisation for formulation of policy and
implementation of programmes for prevention and control of
HIV/AIDS in India. As part of its prevention programme, NACO
is exploring new medical technologies such as vaccines and
microbicides, as potentially powerful tools that may end the
HIV/AIDS epidemic hopefully. NACO is now decentralised, having
set up AIDS Societies in all states and Union Territories
so that efforts to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS are more effective.
Tuberculosis Research Centre (TRC):
Set up by ICMR and head quartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu,
it is one of the national research institutes dedicated to
the prevention of HIV/AIDS. In view of the close interaction
between tuberculosis and HIV, TRC has taken up HIV related
research. TRC has one of India's best and most experienced
multidisciplinary teams of scientists and some of the best-equipped
laboratories for tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS research in the
country. It is the trial site for the second Phase I preventive
AIDS vaccine trial in India. TRC has set up Vaccine Trial
Centre (VTC) to organzie systematic trial programme for the
preventive AIDS vaccine.
Y R Gaitonde Centre
for AIDS Research and Education (YRG
CARE): Founded in 1993 by Dr. Suniti Solomon,
who documented the first evidence of HIV infection in India
in the year 1986, this premier non-profit HIV referral centre
is located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. YRG CARE has extensive
experience in clinical trials and community-based research.
Internationally recognised as a research institution for microbiological
studies with accent on HIV, YRG CARE is collaborating with
TRC on the second Phase I AIDS vaccine clinical trial in Chennai,
Tamil Nadu for community mobilisation and recruitment of volunteers.
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You
Can Help
Tuberculosis Research
Centre (TRC):
needs volunteers committed to helping India find an AIDS vaccine.
You can contribute to this effort by participating in the
trial as a volunteer. Your participation in this study will
last approximately 18 months. Without your help, there may
never be an effective AIDS vaccine. Thousands of socially
committed men and women the world over, have already participated
as volunteers in AIDS preventive vaccine trials and there
is absolutely no risk of getting infected with HIV from these
vaccines. All benefits and risks of participating in this
trial will be explained to you when you offer your services
as a volunteer. The success of finding an effective vaccine
for the prevention of HIV infection is possible only when
it is tried with humans.
To register as a volunteer, you must be between 18 and 50
years of age, in good health and at low risk of HIV infection.
You should also be a resident of Chennai. |
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Contact
Us
To be a volunteer for the AIDS vaccine trial and
make a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS, rush your
name, address, telephone number and e-mail ID to:
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Dr.
V.D. Ramanathan
Vaccine Trial Centre, Tuberculosis Research Centre (TRC)
Mayor Ramanathan Road Chetput ,Chennai 600 031 |
| Tel:
2836 9721 / 9714/9715 |
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Ms. Sethu Lakshmi
YRG CARE Community Research Facility (CRF)
58 Alsa Garden Harrington Road Chetput Chennai 600 031 |
| Tel:
5519 0210 Mobile: 93810 07150 |
| You
can also call on them personally. |
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