The contribution of research against HIV has played a central role in the rapid implementation of vaccines against SARS-Cov-

We are cured of Covid, we cannot cure AIDS, and HIV mutates much more than SARS-Cov-

It is therefore easier to produce a vaccine against SARS-Cov-

than against HIV.

The speed of vaccine implementation owes a lot to this, especially since coronaviruses were already known.

"

The vaccine platforms used by vaccines against Covid-19 have been developed to fight HIV,”

We have been working on it for several years, in order to move faster in the development of vaccines. This new technique makes it possible to introduce a piece of the genetic code of the virus into a viral vector, as for the AstraZeneca or Jansen vaccine, or into a messenger RNA, as for the Pfizer. This makes it easier to produce the proteins that induce an immune response, directly in the body, and very quickly

All the more so

as this new pandemic once again underlines the absolute necessity of having vaccines to really fight against diseases, and not to limit oneself to treatment alone.

The fight against HIV has made a significant contribution to the fight against Covid-19," says

This new pandemic has reinforced our certainties

:

it is fundamental to develop actions in the field and to get as close as possible to the populations concerned.

One of the lessons of AIDS

, is that we should not think that the messages delivered at the national level are necessarily understood by everyone

AIDS had already highlighted territorial inequalities in access to care, and the Covid has further underscored this observation.

People of Asian origin were targeted at the start of the pandemic

just as homosexuals had been

for AIDS

Our experience has shown us the essential role of the field, associations and community actors in providing the right information, fighting against the false ideas and conspiracy theories that develop in this type of context.

very efficient

funding […], the genuine involvement of communities

approaches […], as well as the use of scientific data to guide them. targeted strategies,

turned the tide of the epidemic and saved lives. These elements are invaluable in preparing for pandemics and in responding to HIV, Covid-19 and many other diseases.

The majority of African political and health decision-makers reacted early against Covid-19, often by anticipating more than the countries of the North," he

.

Their speed of decision-making is linked to their experience with the HIV and Ebola epidemics.

despite the lack of means and deplorable working conditions, and with a few exceptions, the carers have shown themselves to be seasoned in the face of Covid-19, they have not given in panic, and this is no doubt thanks to the previous epidemics they have faced

From one pandemic to another, what comes back is the fragility of the health systems in the various African countries,

In forty years, we have made very little progress on this point. If the

inspired by what has been developed against AIDS by the Global Fund, with access to subsidized drugs, Africa continues to need massive investments in its various health systems.

Thanks to the relentless mobilization of activists during the 2000s, the pharmaceutical industries have agreed to lower the prices of AIDS treatments and to lift certain patents so that the poorest countries can have them. access.

But you have to start fighting again for each new treatment.

We remain on a logic of donations, alms, without transferring technologies, it is a short-term logic.

Until we move forward on the idea of ​​universal health coverage, epidemics will ask the same questions every time.