Kenya is one of the leading African countries that have started AIDS vaccine trials. The Kenyan AIDS Vaccine Initiative (KAVI) was initiated in 1998 and began HIV-1 vaccine trials in 2001. All of the vaccines that were tested have been specifically designed to be used in Kenya but have also been tested in UK. Phase One testing in humans has been proven to be safe and, says Dr Omu Anzala of KAVI, second phase vaccine trials will kick off soon. These will take approximately two years and will test the body'€™s immune response to the vaccine. The trials will include volunteers from Nairobi and London. Thandeka Teyise of Health-e News Service spoke to Dr Anzala and asked him to explain KAVI'€™S second phase of the vaccine trials.

A feasibility study in preparation for Phase 3 clinical trials involving microbicides is underway at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, in Soweto.

One of the latest research studies in the ongoing search for innovative technologies and strategies to help prevent HIV infection is the development and testing of microbicides.

In what could be seen as a move to an out-of-court settlement, Rustenburg Platinum Mine withdrew its challenge, for the meantime, against the Chief Inspector of Mines and the Minerals and Energy Affairs Ministry.