Researchers hope to reduce risk of HIV infection by 50%
The Medical Research Council is hoping to see the risk of HIV infections reduced by 50%.
A vaccine trial, known as HVTN 702, was launched in Durban yesterday.
Durban residents - Ningi Mbutho and Nkosiyazi Mncube - have become the first to participate in the new HIV vaccine trial. They received their initial injections at the research council site in Verulam yesterday.
Seven years ago, another trial in Thailand saw recipients of the vaccine having a 31% lower risk of HIV infection.
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The council's director for the HIV Prevention Research Unit, Professor Gita Ramjee says the trial will be conducted over a four to five-year period with 5400 people.