• Vaccines

Vaccines

This study focuses on two issues concerning the introduction of a preventative HIV/AIDS vaccine in Uganda: what are the key factors that will lead adults to accept a vaccine; and what are possible behavioural responses to being vaccinated? The results show that there is a high demand for a preventative HIV/AIDS vaccine amongst adults; with the demand sensitive to the price of the vaccine, although not to its efficacy. The researchers suggest that this reflects the extent to which AIDS has impacted on every Ugandan: even those at low risk of infection feel vulnerable, boosting demand for a vaccine of whatever efficacy.

The study found that those at the highest risk of infection were the most likely to purchase or accept a vaccine, making it to some extent self-targeting. However, the danger exists that introducing a partially effective vaccine may reduce incentives for further changes in behaviour and thereby reduce the population-level effectiveness of the vaccine. The authors therefore conclude that renewed and more vigorous emphasis on other preventive measures will be necessary in Uganda to realise the full potential of this promising new technology when it becomes available. [adapted from author]

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