Men Who Have Sex with Men: An Introductory Guide for Health Workers in Africa

Published: 2009

The men who have sex with men (MSM) manual, developed by the Desmond Tutu Research Foundation with support from IAVI, provides HIV counselors and health care providers with the insight and skills necessary to provide quality counseling services that adequately meet the unique needs of MSM populations in Africa.  The manual provides background information about MSM practices in Africa, case studies and training exercises designed to improve MSM risk behavior counseling in the context of Africa. Audience:  HIV counselors and other health providers who work in Africa and have varying degrees of experience with MSM.

Perspectives on HPV vaccine introduction in Tamil Nadu, India

Published: 2009

Based on a qualitative study in Tamil Nadu, India, this brief discusses the information that is needed at the policy level to ensure effective decision-making regarding HPV vaccine introduction in developing countries.  This information will not only help address the burden of cervical cancer, but will also provide a valuable opportunity to learn from the HPV vaccine experience in planning for the introduction of future AIDS vaccines and other health technologies.

Spurring Innovation for the Development of HIV and AIDS Technologies

Published: April 2009

This report explores a variety of mechanisms seeking to generate solutions to global health problems, including the need for new HIV and AIDS technologies. It includes recommendations on how to move forward in creating an appropriate enabling environment for innovative ideas and approaches     .

VaxLit Toolkit

Published: 2009

The objective of the AIDS Vaccine Literacy (VaxLit) Initiative is to disseminate consistent, comprehensive training and educational materials on AIDS vaccines and clinical trials. VaxLit translates complex technical information into simple language, enabling us to reach audiences who do not have extensive knowledge in the AIDS vaccine field, such as potential trial participants, civil society, medical professionals and media. A VaxLit Toolkit has been developed and contains a number of resources that can be used for training, mobilization, and advocacy activities. The Toolkit includes:

• Core Content – “reference manual” containing basic information about AIDS vaccine development and clinical trials in simple language and format;
• Training Manual – for use by trainers who wish to conduct participatory training workshops about concepts contained in the Core Content;
• Fact sheets – A set of three short 4-page sheets with key information from the Core Content
• PowerPoint slides – presentations outlining information contained in the Core Content; may be useful for presentations, workshops, etc. to deliver basic information to non-technical stakeholders;
• CD-ROM – contains all Toolkit materials in electronic form, in a user-friendly interactive format

Current HPV Vaccines and Future AIDS Vaccines: Common Challenges and Unprecedented Opportunities

Published: November 2008

This brief discusses how ensuring swift and efficient HPV vaccine introduction in developing countries will not only help address the burden of cervical cancer, but will also provide a valuable opportunity for AIDS vaccine researchers and advocates to learn from the HPV vaccine experience in planning for the introduction of future AIDS vaccines.

Diagram: Understanding the Immune System and AIDS Vaccine Strategies

Published: 2008

How HIV interacts with the immune system and current strategies in HIV vaccine research.

Strengthening the response to HIV and AIDS: Helping make the MDGs a reality

Published: September 2008

This brief, endorsed by 43 partner organizations, examines the critical role of the response to HIV in advancing the Millennium Development Goals as well as the impact that better tools and technologies to prevent HIV transmission could have on the MDGs’ attempts to reduce poverty, hunger, maternal mortality and morbidity and child mortality.  

The Journey Towards An AIDS Vaccine: Perspectives on Conducting Trials in Developing Countries

Published: January 2008

This paper summarizes the broad range of impacts AIDS vaccine studies have had, at individual, community, national, and global levels, above and beyond their value in increasing scientific knowledge.

The Journey Towards An AIDS Vaccine: Perspectives on Conducting Trials in Developing Countries

Published: December 2008

This paper highlights the broad range of impacts AIDS vaccine studies have had, at individual, community, national, and global levels, above and beyond their value in increasing scientific knowledge .

US FDA Priority Review Vouchers: An effective incentive to develop drugs and vaccines for neglected diseases?

Published: February 2008

This background technical note describes a new incentive measure, recently approved by the U.S. Congress and by President Bush, that is designed to encourage the development of drugs for tropical diseases and for which the FDA is currently writing the regulations.