Government launches AIDS vaccine research guidelines

Uganda has launched guidelines for AIDS vaccine research to provide overall direction regarding scientific, legal, ethical and policy issues in HIV/AIDS vaccine research. "If someone wants to do research in Uganda, the guidelines give the minimal requirements, but they also tackle issues concerning access if the vaccine became available," Dr Pontiano Kaleebu, a researcher at the Uganda Virus Research Institute, told PlusNews. He said the guidelines, launched in the capital, Kampala, on Thursday, also dealt with human rights and ethics issues, and brought into context existing local and international frameworks. Development of the guidelines has involved stakeholders from the government, biomedical and behavioural research communities, international organisations and the international community.