A qualitative study on experiences of HIV vaccine trial participants in a phase I/II double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial in Tanzania: Lessons for COVID-19 vaccine testing

Staff involved: Erica S. Sanga, Brian Van Wyk, Leonard L. Maboko, Simukai Shamu

HIV remains a major public health problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. About 54.5% of all people living with HIV live in Eastern and Southern Africa.

There is no HIV vaccine or cure available yet despite ongoing research to develop one and uptake of vaccines is critical in the global society.

It is imperative to describe the perceptions and experiences of the vaccines trial participants, as they may give lessons for COVID-19 vaccine development. A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted to describe the experiences of volunteers who participated in a phase I/II HIV vaccine trial in Tanzania.