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Scientists using vaginal fluids to develop vaccine

Scientists at UoN are using women due to their high predisposition to sexual infections compared to men. [Courtesy]

Scientists at the University of Nairobi are studying the vaginal secretions of volunteers to develop vaccines that stop the HIV virus during intercourse for women only. 

The scientists attached to the Kenya Aids Vaccine Initiative (KAVI) are using women due to their high predisposition to sexual infections compared to men. Their genitalia have a wider surface of interaction with the virus doubling likelihood of infection at 6.6 per cent compared to 3.1 per cent for men.