AA / Tunis / Hajer Cherni
For more than forty years, considerable efforts have been made to find a vaccine against HIV.
Around the world, research continues to fight this global pandemic that has killed more than 32 million people since its discovery in 1981.
On the occasion of the celebration of the International Day of the vaccine against HIV, celebrated each year on May 18, the Anadolu Agency takes stock of the situation of these four decades of fight against the disease.
In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) deplored a balance sheet more than ever heavy. 680,000 people worldwide have died from HIV, and at least 1.5 million people have tested positive, bringing the number of people living with HIV to 37.7 million by the end of 2020.
Indeed, scientific research, at the beginning of 2000, progressed and the appearance of antiretroviral treatments drastically reduced mortality and the spread of the virus. Nevertheless, this pandemic remains a serious scourge that affects more and more victims, particularly those in poor countries.
— Is there really an HIV vaccine?
According to scientists, a vaccine requires long years of development to achieve more or less concrete results. Indeed, to prevent any contamination by HIV, no vaccine is planned for the near future.
According to data published on the official website of the Institut Pasteur in France, ”basic and clinical research as well as in treatment and prevention made it possible in 2012 to stem the rise of the pandemic”. However, ”this virus continues to be a major problem today”.
To eradicate it, it is essential, according to the Institut Pasteur, to know more about the mechanisms of infection by HIV, the virus responsible, in order to advance therapeutic and vaccine research.
Scientists are continuing their research to find a vaccine that can stop this virus that causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).
It is also important to understand that AIDS takes time to develop and the victim will not be sick right away because HIV takes several years before attacking the immune defences.
Why would it be difficult to develop the HIV vaccine?
People with HIV are forced into lifelong treatment. Because, by the way, it has been proven that there is no cure for this virus.
The complexity of HIV, which has the ability to mutate very quickly and escape potential vaccines, has forced scientists to find a specific remedy. This truth is supported by the majority of specialists and laboratories who, until today, have struggled to develop a vaccine.
You should know that HIV affects CD4 T lymphocytes which are a very important component of the immune system. The virus integrates into the genome and the immune system cannot in any way eliminate it.
— Tunisian HIV positives face the shortage of anti-HIV drugs
In Tunisia, the fight against HIV remains relevant and the fight against this virus continues through the organization of prevention activities through associations, for better sexual health.
Moreover, a report published by the Joint United Nations Program (UNAIDS), for the year 2019, communicated an alarming assessment of the number of people living with HIV or AIDS.
”4,500 people in the country are HIV-positive, of whom 1,303 receive free treatment. Among the victims are 34 children, 745 men and 524 women,” the report said.
Only 51%, still according to the same source, are aware of their positivity and 32% receive lifelong treatment.
The UN organization has thus reported the registration of 198 cases, among them seven children.
Tunisia attaches great importance to respecting the anonymity of declarations of HIV/AIDS cases, and this, since the establishment of the National Program for the Fight against AIDS (PNLS/IST) in 2007, the management of which has been entrusted to the Directorate of Basic Health Care at the Ministry of Health.
This program advocates the fight against discrimination, the reduction of gender-related inequalities, the promotion and respect of human rights in terms of access to HIV care services, particularly for vulnerable populations.
For people wishing to be tested voluntarily, 25 centers have been made available to them in order to prevent the disease and limit its spread.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Yosra Boudhiaf, a lawyer with the Tunisian Association for Positive Prevention, sounded the alarm, due to a shortage of anti-HIV stock and supply problems. .
”HIV carriers are at risk of going untreated for the next few days. They can die at any time,” she said.
And Boudhiaf continues: “The victims have been suffering for several weeks from serious disruptions in the supply of medicines, which they cannot do without. Even if they resume their treatment after this stop, they are at risk of developing new complications”.
According to her, not only do they suffer from this disease but also from the consequences of the coronavirus health crisis. Infected people are exposed to a great risk of contamination. “Covid-19 has had, among other things, a” devastating impact “on the fight against AIDS and the health of its victims”, she castigated.
Asked about the activities of the Association, our speaker mentioned the last event in tribute to the victims, from whom the virus took their lives.
”We recently organized an initiative under the theme ”International AIDS Candlelight Memorial”. Through this event, we launched campaigns to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS and paid tribute to those who have dedicated their lives to helping people living with HIV,” she said.
The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial today serves as an important platform for global solidarity, breaking down barriers of stigma and discrimination and giving hope to new generations.
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