Russia Has Made Prototypes Of HIV Vaccine: Official

Russia has created several prototypes of vaccines against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a top official said on Tuesday.

Several state research centers, including the Vector Institute of Virology and Biotechnology, have been working on HIV vaccines, according to Anna Popova, Russia's chief sanitary officer.

"Russia will use all opportunities available to complete the development of its own HIV vaccine," she said in a government meeting.

Her remarks came on World AIDS Day, marked globally on Dec. 1.

In November, Alexey Mazus, chief specialist on HIV/AIDS at Russia's Health Ministry, expressed hope that a vaccine against HIV will be available in the coming years.

He said the world was "one step away from the introduction of injectable forms of a vaccine," with a single shot enough for immunization.

There is currently no cure for HIV infection, which targets the immune system and weakens resistance to many infections and some types of cancer.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, is the most advanced stage of HIV infection and can take many years to develop, depending on the individual.

AIDS is defined by the development of certain cancers, infections, or other severe long-term clinical manifestations, according to the World Health Organization. -