Herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV2) infection increases HIV transmission. We explore the impact of a potential prophylactic HSV2 vaccination on HIV incidence in Africa using STDSIM an individual-based model. A campaign that achieved 70% coverage over 5 years with a vaccine that reduced susceptibility to HSV2 acquisition and HSV2 reactivation by 75% for 10 years, reduced HIV incidence by 30-40% after 20 years (range 4-66%). Over 20 years, in most scenarios fewer than 100 vaccinations were required to avert one HIV infection. HSV2 vaccines could have a substantial impact on HIV incidence. Intensified efforts are needed to develop an effective HSV2 vaccine.

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doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.11.074, hdl.handle.net/1765/24519
Vaccine
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Freeman, E. E., White, R., Bakker, R., Orroth, K., Weiss, H., Buvé, A., … Glynn, J. (2009). Population-level effect of potential HSV2 prophylactic vaccines on HIV incidence in sub-Saharan Africa. Vaccine, 27(6), 940–946. doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.11.074