HIV Vaccine Info-line
080 VACCINE

SAAVI is a partner of the Nelson Mandela Foundation

Getting involved

Why get involved?
Individuals might become involved in HIV vaccine R & D 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/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.

  • Volunteering
Another way to become involved in HIV vaccine research is by volunteering to participate in HIV vaccine clinical trials. Volunteers must be healthy adults (over 18 years old), who are HIV negative, not pregnant, and able to give informed consent.
  • Workshops and information sessions

The SAAVI Community Involvement Programme runs regular workshops and information sessions and has background materials on 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 or e-mail: patricia.southwood@mrc.ac.za.

SAAVI is supported by

Impala
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Last updated: 15-May-2008