A Brisbane man who participated in a clinical trial for a now-discontinued Covid-19 vaccine continues to return false positive HIV test results years after receiving the experimental shot. The vaccine trial, conducted in 2020, was developed using molecular clamp technology, which contained fragments of the HIV spike protein GP41. While researchers warned participants about potential temporary false positives, the ongoing results have raised concerns for at least one individual.
The man, who has chosen to remain anonymous due to stigma concerns, expressed distress over the unexpected duration of the side effect. Initially told that the issue should resolve within months, he has continued to receive false positive results more than four years later. Despite reassurances from researchers that there is no actual HIV infection or health risk, he remains skeptical about the long-term implications.
His primary concern revolves around future life decisions, particularly having children. While medical professionals insist there are no lasting effects, he remains uncertain about potential unforeseen consequences. He compared the situation to historical cases like asbestos exposure, where risks were only fully understood years later.
Beyond personal concerns, he also worries about potential complications in medical emergencies, especially while traveling abroad. A positive HIV test in a foreign healthcare system could lead to confusion and unnecessary medical interventions. Though he carries documentation explaining the false positive results, he fears not having it readily available in critical situations.
The vaccine trial was discontinued in late 2020 after several participants experienced the same issue. The unexpected side effect led to the cancellation of a planned $1 billion government deal for the vaccine, as officials feared it would interfere with HIV testing protocols and public confidence in vaccination programs.
In a 2021 follow-up letter to participants, researchers acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the duration of the false positive response. While antibody levels were observed to decrease over time, it was unclear how long they would persist. The letter assured participants that there was no risk to their health and that annual follow-up visits would be offered to those affected.
Despite these reassurances, the Brisbane man continues to deal with the practical consequences of his test results. The ongoing issue raises questions about his eligibility for activities such as blood and sperm donation or rejoining the Army Reserves. While a wallet-sized card explaining the side effect was provided to participants, he remains unsure how effective it will be in official medical situations.
One of the trial’s lead researchers explained that the molecular clamp technology had been expected to trigger only a minor antibody response to HIV proteins. However, when the issue became evident, the team acknowledged the potential impact on large-scale deployment of the vaccine. The experimental approach had been selected based on promising results in animal models, and additional refinements might have been possible if more time had been available before the pandemic struck.
Despite the setback, further research into clamp-based vaccines has continued. By 2023, an improved version of the technology was successfully tested, demonstrating equivalence to an already approved Covid-19 vaccine. The renewed success has opened the door for potential future applications in combating respiratory viruses such as RSV and hMPV.
While the scientific community continues to advance vaccine technology, those affected by the discontinued trial remain in limbo, uncertain about the long-term implications of their participation.
