Media statement

South Africans support Phambili

Just a month after its launch, the Phambili HIV vaccine trial has already attracted the backing of several prominent South African celebrities and HIV/AIDS activists. These include Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Justice Edwin Cameron as well as a number of popular musicians, such as Hugh Masekela and Freshlyground.

“I am excited to learn that we are a step closer to finding a way to prevent HIV infection, even though we know that it will still be years before we have a vaccine,” said Archbishop Tutu, adding that he was pleased to know that the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre at the University of Cape Town will be one of the sites conducting the study.

“I hope all South Africans will take the time to learn more about this study, think about participating, and support each person who volunteers to be in the study,” he said.

Justice Edwin Cameron also weighed in with an endorsement of the study. “We in Africa badly need a successful preventative vaccine against HIV/AIDS.  Even with successful treatment becoming much more widely available, and with better prevention efforts, a vaccine would be a huge breakthrough. 

“It would have a big impact on the epidemic everywhere – but particularly in the world’s hardest-hit areas, most especially our own.  So I am giving my support to this trial.  It is the largest HIV vaccine trial to date in South Africa, in fact in Africa.  It involves a test vaccine that has shown great promise in earlier trials. I believe the Phambili trial will take us a step closer to finding a solution to this crisis and to protecting our own and future generations,” he said.

Phambili has struck a particularly strong chord with South Africa’s musicians. Freshlyground, winners of the MTV 2006 award for the Best Act in Africa, recently sang their praises of the campaign.

“We’ve been strong supporters of the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, and we’re excited to learn of this new HIV vaccine trial,” said band member Simon Attwell.  “It’s important for all of us South Africans to find out more about how we can help in the fight against HIV.” 

R&B star Loyiso Bala said that South Africa’s greatest resource was its people, and that the quest for an HIV vaccine was essential to the future of South Africa. “We are not the richest or the most developed country in the world but where our richness lies is in our people. It is studies like this that will make sure that we are preserved to keep on setting a great example of reconciliation to the rest of the world,” he said.

“I feel very honoured to lend whatever I can to make this study a great success as I do believe that apart from many challenges that we face as South Africans today, HIV and AIDS still remain the biggest threat to our beautiful country,” Bala continued.

Adding to the chorus of support for Phambili was jazz great, Hugh Masekela, who said: “An AIDS-prevention vaccine would be a much welcome miracle for our country, the African continent and the world at large.  I pray that such a remedy could be possible to put to an end to the millions of deaths the pandemic has visited on the human race.”

The Phambili trial is the largest African HIV vaccine trial to date, and requires the participation of 3000 volunteers. According to Glenda Gray, National Principal Investigator, many volunteers have already come forward to take part, perhaps encouraged by the groundswell of support and goodwill shown towards the trial.

The Phambili vaccine study being conducted by the HIV Vaccine Trials Network and the South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative (SAAVI), which is supported by Eskom and the South African government. SAAVI is a Lead Programme of the Medical Research Council of South Africa. The vaccine being tested in the Phambili trial has been described as one of the most promising vaccines currently available.

For more information about Phambili and how to volunteer for the study, please contact the SAAVI vaccine info-line at 080 VACCINE (080 822 2463).