Reporting from Bangkok: J2J Fellow Stories from AIDS Vaccine 2011

by Linda Topping Streitfeld 0 comments

NPF’s J2J program arm has just completed training for 20 journalists who now are fanning out to cover AIDS Vaccine 2011, the international gathering of scientists seeking a vaccine against HIV. Over two days here in Bangkok, Thailand, our fellows heard from 20 researchers, most of whom are making important presentations at the conference. The briefings and extensive question-and-answer sessions helped prepare our group to report on the news from the conference, including an important development that moves the field significantly ahead.

Here’s a sample of work produced so far:

Kerry Cullinan, Health-e News Service in South Africa:

SA gets ready for trial of successful Thai vaccine
http://www.health-e.org.za/news/article.php?uid=20033253

Two years ago, the AIDS community was electrified by news that a vaccine had partially protected people against HIV. Now this vaccine will be tested in South Africa. (full article)

Two clues revealed about how Thai vaccine worked
http://www.health-e.org.za/news/article.php?uid=20033254

Two years ago, an alliance of Thai and US scientists revealed that a huge trial of an AIDS vaccine had for the first time protected some people from HIV – but they didn’t know why or how it had worked. (full article)

Kerry also contributed an editorial to The Star in South Africa:

A Ray of Hope
http://www.iol.co.za/the-star/a-ray-of-hope-1.1137052

Although we have known for decades that the only way to prevent HIV infection is to wear condoms during sex, people are still getting infected at an alarming rate. Scientists believe that it’s hard for humans to change their behaviour patterns, which is why the idea of an Aids vaccine is so attractive. (full article)

Pauline Dakin, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation:

AIDS Vaccine Clip #1

AIDS Vaccine Clip #2

AIDS Vaccine Clip #3

We’ll post more links from Bangkok as they come in.