U.S. philanthropist and entrepreneur Bill Gates has opened up about the search for a lifetime HIV vaccine, rather than one that only lasts for a few months at a time.
Gates mentioned that he has been receiving questions about whether his new preventative tools like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and anti-retroviral (ARVs) medications mean that he has stopped pushing for the vaccine.
He clarified that the Gates Foundation is still on course to find an HIV vaccine.
“Some people ask me if these new preventative tools mean the Gates Foundation has given up on finding an HIV vaccine. Not at all,” he said.
Bill Gates Reaffirms Commitment to Finding Lifetime HIV Vaccine
According to Bill Gates, the new pills and injections are part of the Foundation’s advancement in finding the vaccine.
“In fact, these advances push us to aim even higher in our research for a vaccine that could prevent HIV for a lifetime—and not just a few months at a time,” Bill Gates said.
He explained that their goal is to create multiple layers of protection, much like modern cars have seatbelts, airbags, and even collision-warning sensors.
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Additionally, he mentioned that people prefer different preventative measures hence the Foundation must provide all these alternatives.
“Different tools work better for different people in different ways, and we need every tool we can get,” he said.
Gates Cites Lack of Preventive Tooks and Proper Use to Spread of HIV
The Business mogul stated that today we have anti-retroviral (ARVs)medications that allow people with HIV to live full, healthy lives with undetectable viral loads—meaning they can’t transmit the virus to others.
He added that we also have powerful preventative medications known as PrEP, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, that can reduce a person’s risk of contracting the virus by up to 99 percent when taken as prescribed.
Furthermore, Bill Gates said that in theory, if the foundation could get these tools to everyone who needs them and make sure they’re used correctly, we could stop HIV in its tracks.
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“Because when people with the virus receive proper treatment, they can’t transmit it to others. And when people at risk take PrEP, they can’t contract it,” he added.
“In practice, however, getting these tools to people—and making sure they’re used correctly—is the hard part. Especially for PrEP.”
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New Preventive Pills and Injections
He revealed that scientists are in the process of developing several longer-lasting PrEP breakthroughs, each with distinct advantages that could help more people protect themselves on their own terms.
Lenacapavir, which requires only two doses per year through injection, could open HIV prevention up to people who can’t make frequent clinic visits.
Cabotegravir, another injectable option that works for two months at a time, offers a more flexible dosing schedule than daily PrEP pills, too.
Meanwhile, a monthly oral medication called MK-8572, still in the trial stage, could provide an alternative for people who prefer pills to injections.
“The Gates Foundation is even exploring ways to maintain a person’s protection for six months or longer,” the philanthropist said.
“And researchers are working on promising PrEP options that include contraception, which would be particularly valuable for women who need both types of protection.”
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