Bill Gates a billionaire as well as a philanthropist has spent millions of dollars on a vaccine for AIDS. He is hopeful that a vaccine is developed against the disease within the next decade, as a cure remains far off.
Since 1981, 78 million people have been affected with this disease.
“Probably the top priority is a vaccine. If we had a vaccine that can protect people, we can stop the epidemic,” the Microsoft giant said on the sidelines of an anti-Aids-themed concert in Paris which he backs.
According to UN estimates,39 million people have died and about 35 million are living with the immune system-destroying virus as of today, majority in poor countries.
Bill Gates was hopeful for an AIDS vaccine long before but found many setbacks along the way.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation spends about US$400 million a year on Aids drug research, he told journalists, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
“A vaccine, that’s a big area of funding for our foundation, but even in the best case that’s five years away, and perhaps as long as 10,” he said in a question-and-answer session with young people.
“There will continue to be substantial number of people infected. So we have to keep focused, get more efficient.”
For now, finding a cure does not appear realistic, said Gates.
HIV is a virus which attacks the immune system, and weakens your ability to fight infections and disease. It’s most commonly caught by having sex without a condom.