HIV Prevention News Around The Globe

HIV Vaccine Awareness Day

Every year on May 18, the global HIV community observes HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, a day to recognize the long quest to produce one of the holy grails of public health tools: an effective vaccine that could bring an end to HIV.

HIV is a global epidemic that has affected millions of people worldwide. According to the latest estimates, approximately 38.4 million people are living with HIV, with two-thirds of them living in the WHO African Region. Nearly one in seven people worldwide is living with HIV, which translates to 37.9 million people.

The virus spreads the most in the poorest and most underprivileged communities. Lack of educational information, preventative measures, and medical treatment are the leading causes of HIV spreading. Despite the significant efforts made to combat the epidemic, the number of people living with HIV remains high. This is why it is essential to continue researching for an effective vaccine to prevent further spread of the virus.

Namibia achieves 99% HIV-free births

About 98.5% of children born to HIV-positive mothers in Namibia last year were HIV-free, health minister Kalumbi Shangula said at a World Health Organisation (WHO) summit last week. He noted that the country has made significant progress in eliminating mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV and hepatitis B.

Shangula said Namibia has been certified by the WHO for achieving the silver tier on the path-to-elimination (PTE) of MTCT of the hepatitis B virus, and the bronze tier on the PTE of MTCT of HIV in 2020 and 2021. “The overall MTCT rate of HIV was 4,02% in 2020, which translates to 603 MTCT cases per 100 000 live births, and 4,41% in 2021 [translating to] 594 MTCT cases per 100 000 live births,” he said.

You can read more about the update here

Roll-out of injectable PrEP in Zimbabwe will mean more young people are protected from HIV

Injectable PrEP is a promising HIV prevention method but advocates and health officials continue to grapple with the challenge of making it more widely available

Zimbabwe, with around 1.3 million HIV-positive individuals, including a significant 10% of young people under 19, faces a pressing challenge. Young women, in particular, are at a heightened risk – six times more vulnerable than young men, according to a 2022 UNICEF report. Various HIV prevention methods exist, including condoms, oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and the dapivirine ring, which is inserted into the vagina and ensures safety for 28 days. However, oral PrEP requires taking a daily pill. Missing doses significantly heightens the risk of HIV infection. Daily adherence can be challenging, hence many sexually active young people have expressed enthusiasm for a novel solution: the PrEP injectable.

Zambia recently became the second country globally, following the USA, to introduce the long-acting HIV PrEP injectable outside of clinical trials. Dr. Nyaradzo Mgodhi led clinical trials for the injectable in Zimbabwe as part of the HTPN 084 CAB LA PrEP trials, in which seven African countries participated. Despite the promising outcomes, affordability remains a significant hurdle. A study in South Africa found that to be accessible, the PrEP injectable should cost between US$9 to US$15.

You can read more about the news here

Advocates Spotlight 

WACI Health's youth leadership and advocacy program recently onboarded a new cohort of mentees. This program aims at creating a cadre of high quality and impact youth advocates. Our current cohort has young people from different African countries who meet online twice a week for mentorship. The program involves regularly bringing in mentors and experts to speak on and share their experiences. Meet Tsholofelo Luza who is an HIV prevention advocate based in Botswana.

Tsholofelo Luza is an experienced professional with a background in economics and psychology, with an interest in gender and international development issues. Over the past 4 years, Tsholofelo has dedicated her career to empowering adolescent girls and marginalized communities. Her commitment to social justice drives her to develop and implement effective programs addressing gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, and human rights. With innovative strategies and unwavering dedication, She strives to create lasting impact, making a difference in the lives of those often overlooked by society.

OPPORTUNITIES

The Women Deliver Emerging Leaders for Change Program is a two-year leadership program that supports passionate young activists with the resources, platforms, connections, and training necessary to amplify and achieve their advocacy goals. Women Deliver, with its strong commitment to both gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), has a strong history of equitable youth engagement and co-leadership.

You can read more and apply here

Grab your spot and join your peers in Kenya on 2-4 October 2024 to learn, share experiences, knowledge, and best practices to define a pathway forward for providing more comprehensive health services and improving the general health and well-being of adolescents at risk of acquiring HIV and those living with HIV globally.

Registration waiver for young people (25 years or younger) or people living with HIV applies.

Abstract submission for this workshop will open on May 17, mark your agenda and get ready to contribute for a chance to be included in the program of this important workshop!

Register here

Upcoming Events

Register here to join us on Monday 20 May at 2-3.30pm CEST for the first meeting of the Health ImPACT Coalition to discuss:

- Updates from the CSO Conference

- The core principles and key asks of the Health ImPACT Coalition

- Engaging Member States on the updated Pact for the Future text

- Advocacy activities up to the Summit of the Future (September 2024)

Vibe with MOSAIC's NextGen Squad: An Introduction to Oral PrEP

MOSAIC’s NextGen Squad is gearing up to host its first youth-led, youth-focused HIV prevention webinar.

Date:June 12 2024

Time: 02:00 PM SAST

If interested, Register here: