Community Involvement in HIV Vaccine Research: Making it Work

Report by Garmaise D., Avdeeva Y. and Torres M.A. at the International Council of AIDS Service Organizations (ICASO).

They undertook a community- based project to conduct an in-depth assessment of the role that communities play in efforts to develop and test an HIV vaccine, especially in low- and middle- income countries. This report presents the main findings of the project, and serves as a stepping-stone for the creation of an action plan for greater involvement of communities in the vaccine research and development process. The findings from the study reveal that community involvement in HIV vaccine related activities can be increased and strengthened when the following elements are incorporated into the clinical trial process:

• education and capacity building for community leaders;
• awareness and education of potential trial participants;
• structured mechanisms for consultation (such as community advisory boards); and
• monitoring, advocacy and partnership building. (adapted from the author)