Should HIV Vaccines Be Made Available at No or Subsidized Cost? A Qualitative Inquiry of HIV Vaccine Trial Stakeholders in Tanzania.

Abstract

Background: The world has come closer than ever to discovering a viable HIV vaccine. However, it remains less certain whether HIV vaccines should be made available to participants and communities in which trials are run no or subsidized cost. Hence the essence of this inquiry.

Methodology: This is a case study design using in-depth interviews (IDI) and focus group discussions (FGD) with researchers of HIV vaccine trials, institutional review board (IRB) members, HIV advocates, a policy maker, and members of community advisory board (CAB) in Tanzania. Participants were purposively selected and data thematically analyzed using MAXQDA software.

Results: Hosting a vaccine trial and the financial incapacity of individuals at increased risk of HIV were among the reasons in favor of free access to HIV vaccines. In contrast, the view that vaccines should be provided at a subsidized cost was related to high costs of vaccine development, financial return expectations by investors, and the fear of labeling the free vaccine as less important. Moreover, apart from governments and international organizations, well-off individuals could share the cost burden.

Conclusion: Stakeholders engaging in active discussion about sharing the viable vaccine ought to take the aforementioned concerns into account and ensure unhindered access to individuals and host communities in Tanzania and beyond.