Press Releases

February 8, 2007

Archbishop Tutu endorses Phambili

Cape Town - Archbishop (emeritus) Desmond M. Tutu today announced his support of Phambili, the recently announced efficacy trial of an experimental vaccine to prevent infection with HIV. The study is being conducted by the South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative and the HIV Vaccine Trials Network at five sites in South Africa.

"I am excited to learn that we are a step closer to finding a way to prevent HIV infection, even though we know that it will still be years before we have a vaccine," said Archbishop Tutu. "I am pleased to know that the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre will be one of the sites conducting the study. I hope all South Africans will take the time to learn more about this study, think about participating, and support each person who volunteers to be in the study."

The study will be conducted in Cape Town, Soweto, Klerksdorp, Medunsa and Durban. Each person who enrolls will be in the study for approximately four and a half years and a total of 3000 South Africans will be needed as volunteers in the study. For more information about the study and volunteering, please call the South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative at 080 VACCINE.

Note to journalists: Archbishop Tutu is not available for comment, due to his travel schedule.