Institutions involved in the search for HIV vaccine faced with numerous challenges that are almost insurmountable.
They range from ethical to clinical and cost bottlenecks according to two researchers Dr Borna Nyaoke of Kenya Aids Vaccine Initiative and Emmanuel Museve of the University of Nairobi.
According to the duo, the HIV has developed multiple mechanisms to evade the body's defences and has complicated systematic research work towards the vaccine.
It has also been difficult to even conduct pre-clinical trials in some countries.
Many vaccine candidates suffered setbacks at pre-clinical stages, which involves tests of the efficacy of the vaccine in animal before trying it humans.
"Some countries find it unethical to use animal guinea pigs for tests trials," they said at a presentation at the ongoing 7th NOPE Conference.
Since the trials require volunteers for a long t period of time, it has become increasingly difficult to motivate them to stay the whole hog.
"HIV clinical vaccine trials involve risks and are a first in humans. There is therefore the need to understand volunteer motivators to achieve effective enrollment, retention and follow-up," they say.
The biggest challenge yet is the cost of development of the HIV vaccine which is enormous, yet the vaccine needs to be made affordable to people with a range of socio-economic statuses.
As matter of fact the bulk of those infected and affected by the virus come from Sub-Saharan Africa that represents some of the poorest of the world populations.
"Since the vaccine has to be provided inexpensively for many vulnerable populations, the cost performance is not attractive to sponsors and companies," they submitted.
However, HIV and AIDS research has yielded major gains over the last 30 years according to the duo.
"We can now talk about prevention and cure of HIV and AIDS in the same breath. We must however be cognizant of the fact that HIV/AIDS has not gone away," they warn.
More research and funding are required as to complete the marathon.
Better and affordable drugs for treatment are required, better preventive technologies and ultimately an HIV vaccine that stops one from ever getting infected.
