A new study has discovered an unexpected side effect in patients who received experimental mRNA vaccines against HIV: the appearance of urticaria (hives) - an itchy skin rash with painful bumps, which in some cases has lasted for years.
🧪 What happened in the study?
7% of participants (7 out of 108 volunteers) who received one of the three experimental vaccine formulations developed urticaria.
For some, the symptoms disappeared. But for more than half, they persisted after a year.
Some are still experiencing skin breakouts nearly three years later.
📌 The vaccines were developed by Moderna using the same mRNA technology as the COVID-19 vaccines. Although some of the affected people had previously received Moderna's COVID vaccine, there is no evidence yet that the two vaccines are related.
🧬 Scientists from the University of Pittsburgh write that the vaccines were "generally safe and tolerable," but the hives were an unexpected reaction. The cause remains unclear, but may be related to the ingredients, the dose, or environmental factors.
👩⚕️ Experts warn that although hives are mild in most cases, they can influence vaccination reluctance, which could slow progress in the fight against HIV.
🧠 Why is this vaccine important?
There is still no cure for HIV, but a vaccine would be revolutionary, offering permanent protection.
HIV affects over 100,000 people in the UK and 1.2 million in the US.
HIV has caused over 40 million deaths since the beginning of the epidemic.
In 2023, over 6,400 new cases were reported in Britain – a 46% increase compared to the previous year.
📣 Scientists emphasize that mRNA technology remains promising, but more research is needed to understand these reactions and improve vaccine safety. /Express newspaper/
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