In 2022, nearly half of new HIV acquisitions in children resulted from mothers not receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Since 2010, the gap between adult and child treatment coverage has widened. While 82% of pregnant women with HIV and 77% of adults (aged 15 and older) received ART in 2022, only 57% of children had access to treatment. This is well below the global target of 95% coverage in all regions. Altogether, there is a need to develop complementary approaches to prevent HIV acquisition around the time of birth and during early childhood.
Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) represent a promising new approach to HIV prevention. The Antibody Mediated Prevention (AMP) clinical studies in adults demonstrated that bNAbs can prevent acquisition from HIV strains sensitive to the VRC01 bNAb. This webinar, the second of two, contextualizes the research by drawing lessons from the use of monoclonal antibodies in preventing RSV. It explores the acceptability of bNAb research, community involvement, and the potential policy implications of the bNAb approach.