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Getting
involved
Why
get involved?
Individuals might become involved in HIV vaccine research and development for many different reasons, importantly, most
probably become part of the process for the benefit
of their communities and to help to find a solution to
the HIV and AIDS epidemic.
For full, equal involvement, communities must be
empowered to make decisions freely. This can only
happen when
individual human rights are protected and when
all research meets local and international ethical
standards.
Who
can get involved?
Anyone
can get involved in HIV vaccine R & D,
whether they live near a trial site, or they are
just an interested South African wanting more information
about developments and progress.
How
to become involved?
There are several ways of becoming involved. These
include:
- Community
advisory groups
Joining
a community advisory group. This is a group of representatives
from the community from which volunteers will be
drawn. They are an important link between the researchers
and the community. CAGs meet regularly and contribute
to all stages of the trial, bringing the community’s
concerns to the researchers’ attention and advising
the research team on cultural norms and values.
CAGs already exist at the trial sites and are composed
of people who live in and around the area from which
volunteers will be recruited.
Another
way to become involved in HIV vaccine research is
by volunteering to participate in HIV vaccine clinical
trials. Volunteers for preventative HIV vaccine trials must be healthy adults (over
18 years old), who are HIV negative, not pregnant,
and able to give informed consent.
- Workshops
and information sessions
Masikhulisane, the
SAAVI Community Involvement Programme runs regular
workshops and information sessions and has background
materials on HIV vaccines. Should you belong to community-based
organisation, for example, an AIDS service organisation,
you can request a workshop or materials on HIV vaccines.
For
information on becoming involved, phone the SAAVI
Info-line 080 VACCINE/080 8222 463 or e-mail: patricia.southwood@mrc.ac.za.
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