New Vaccine To Prevent New HIV Infections Introduced

By Carlos Onyango / Published September 30, 2019 | 7:21 am

A new vaccine that would see new HIV infections reduced in Kenya is on the way according to the Center for Disease Control Prevention (CDC).

CDC announced that it is currently working on ensuring that the vaccine is largely supplied in various health centers countrywide.

The new vaccine HPTN -081 would be administered by giving individuals antibodies that prevent them from getting infected by the HIV virus.

As CDC country director Dr. Marc Bulterys states, the vaccine has already undergone three trial phases and the organization is working on ensuring that the deadly virus is completely prevented.

Currently, the main focus is on women, who CDC says are at the highest risk of getting infected, due to the fact that they are prone to sexual violations and harassments. Other marginalized groups are also being targeted.

“It is our aim to ensure that all groups have access to free quality health care services including the marginalized groups such as gays,” Dr. Bulterys said.

In 2018, The NGO reported that it had put 630,000 people on antiretroviral(ARVs) drugs, helped more than 400, 000 pregnant women to know their HIV/AIDS status, and ensured that pregnant women who were tested positive were on active treatment.

CDC made these announcements during their 40-year commemoration as a health organization in Kenya.

“It was in 1979, 40 years ago, that CDC initiated work in Kenya. As always, chance played an important role in choices made and developments that ensued,” CDC said in its 2018 annual report.

CDC brags to have been key to enhancing Kenya’s health sector development and has supported the development of scientific and public health leadership in Kenya.

“Through the Kenya Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (FELTP) and the related Improving Public Health Management for Action (IMPACT) program, CDC has offered hands-on, in-the-field training to the next generation of epidemiologists and public health leaders.”

“These programs have produced over 300 graduates, many of whom have gone on to hold leadership positions in the Ministry of Health and other organizations in Kenya and internationally,” CDC added.