The theme of HIV Pathogenesis Programme‘s (HPP) first annual World AIDS Day event, held December 2011, was an “Update on progress made towards the development of a safe and effective HIV vaccine.” The purpose was to educate the community in Umlazi, a township on the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, about the vaccine research going on in their own back yard at HPP at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

HPP Mshiyeni clinic staff (in blue golfers) & CAB members (in white T’s)

As part of the event, sixty-nine persons were administered a HCT test and PCR screening for the studies.

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Ithembalabantu Clinic and the Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital partnered with HPP in organizing the event. Ithembalabantu also sent two counselors and a nurse to help with screening.

With the great success of the event, HPP has decided to make this an annual event. It is anticipated that next year the event will include even more students and lab staff to further educate the public about the research being done on AIDS right in Durban. Additionally, it will benefit an excellent platform for students and staff to interact with study participants and the community.

The event was made possible by a generous grant from The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI).