Month: September 2021

Categories : General InterestTags :

Suspensions of Top Health Officials are Imminent

On By ModernMedia
Photo by Bill Oxford on Unsplash

An article by the Daily Maverick reveals that a wave of suspensions in the Department of Health are impending as a result of the investigation into the Digital Vibes contract, which prompted the resignation of Dr Zweli Mkhize.

Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla said that he received a letter from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) which he would have to act on. 

Dr Phaahla said that “in the next few days and weeks there will unfortunately be some action and that will have some impact also on our capacity as a department”, adding that “when wrong things have happened and investigations have led to findings, then people have to be held answerable”.

However, Dr Phaahla said it was regrettable since “it will have an impact on our capacity, because from what I have seen, a number of people will have to be on suspension, pending charges.” He said it would be difficult for the vaccination programme as management staff were already stretched thin, but “it’s a consequence which must follow”. 

Drs Buthelezi and Pillay denied any knowledge of suspension, though the Daily Maverick has found out that referral for disciplinary action have been sent to the presidency.

The details of the SIU’s investigation have not been made public yet, although the Daily Maverick was able to tease out some details from an affidavit to set aside the Digital Vibes contract and to seeks to reclaim up to R150 million that was paid for the contract.

The affidavit further reveals that Dr Mkhize allegedly pressured the previous Director-General, Precious Matsoso, to employ Tahera Mather to be contracted for communication.

Precious Matsotso was replaced after an unblemished ten years by Dr Anban Pillay, who had been Deputy DG. Dr Pillay then became the active facilitator for the Digital Vibes contract, the affidavit suggests — a matter in which the DIU has also referred to the National Prosecuting Authority.

The current DG, Dr Sandile Buthelezi, who replaced Dr Pillay, is also noted as approving payments to Digital Vibes, though the DIU states it is not seeking any relief against him other than setting aside of relevant agreements.

The situation still has a way to run, with disciplinary inquiries, the Special Tribunal hearing and NPA investigations all ongoing. 

However, the Daily Maverick warns that it is clear that this critical government department is in “freefall” and will not have the capacity to deal with South Africa’s health challenges in the months and years to come.

Source: Daily Maverick

Categories : HIV VaccinesTags :

J&J HIV Vaccine Fails in Local Trials

On By ModernMedia
HIV invading a human cell
HIV invading a human cell: Credit NIH

Johnson & Johnson and its partners announced preliminary results showing their HIV vaccine trial failed to provide sufficient protection against HIV infection in a population of young women in sub-Saharan Africa.

The vaccine had a favourable safety profile with no serious adverse events.
The Phase 2b HIV vaccine clinical trial was known as the Imbokodo study (also known as HVTN 705/HPX2008), which will now be discontinued. Further analysis of the Imbokodo study is ongoing, and the study has provided enough data to progress with key immunological correlates research.

“The high incidence of HIV among young women in sub-Saharan Africa reminds us that, despite great progress made in treatment and prevention, HIV remains a major health challenge for the region,” said Professor Glenda Gray, President and Chief Executive Officer, South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and Imbokodo’s Protocol Chair. “This underscores the need to apply the knowledge that will be gained from this trial to continue to advance the pursuit of a global HIV vaccine.”A parallel, ongoing Phase 3 Mosaico study (HVTN 706/HPX3002) with men who have sex with men and transgender individuals in Europe and Americas will continue due to the different HIV strains that are circulating in the trial areas and the different HIV vaccine regimen.
The HIV regimen consisted of an adenovirus vector containing four mosaic immunogens (Ad26.Mos4.HIV) at four vaccination visits over one year. The Imbokodo regimen contains a soluble protein component (Clade C gp140, adjuvanted with aluminum phosphate) which is administered at vaccination visits three and four. The ongoing Phase 3 Mosaico study is testing a different investigational vaccine regimen that involves the administration of a mosaic-based mixture of soluble proteins (Clade C/Mosaic gp140) at vaccination visits three and four.

Imbokodo participants had four vaccination visits over one year, with the primary endpoint based on new HIV infections through month 24. These data found that 63 of 1109 placebo arm participants compared to 51 of 1079 vaccine arm participants. This analysis demonstrated a vaccine efficacy point estimate of 25.2% (95% confidence interval of -10.5% to 49.3%).

HIV is prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa, where women and girls accounted for 63 percent of all new HIV infections in 2020. The study enrolled roughly 2600 young women across Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Researchers ensured that any HIV-infected participants in Imbokodo were referred to high-quality HIV treatment and care services. 

Source: PR Newswire