The ANC congratulates the Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa consortium, led by Professor Salim Abdool Karim, which saw two South African scientists discovering vulnerability in the virus that enables the body to produce a broadly neutralising antibody response.
This latest breakthrough in HIV research by Moore and Professor Lynn Morris, which was recently announced at a press conference, serves as a possible pathway to discovering a vaccine. According to the researchers, it had been difficult to make an antibody thus far because of several different strains that the virus has in many parts of the country. The virus always changes and evolves to fight vaccines.
The study, which began 10 years ago, focused on two South African women infected with HIV. Over a long period it was discovered that the women produced antibodies that can kill a wide range of human immunodeficiency viruses. It is believed that a vaccination will be developed in a few years.
The ANC agrees with the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi - who was in attendance together with the Minister of Science and Technology to congratulate the research team on their revolutionary findings - that people should not see this breakthrough as a reason to live recklessly. Indeed, this is not a vaccine but it could bring scientists closer to an HIV vaccine. As the Minister emphasised, people must continue to use condoms. Thank you.