A vaccine that prevents AIDS is considered to be the most effective public health tool against the global pandemic. Vaccine research results have been disappointing to date, however, and there is no clear estimate as to when a safe, effective vaccine might be available.

This page has updates on vaccine research and links to recent trial results.

Discussion of Thai vaccine trial results

The RV144 trial was the first human HIV vaccine study to show to show a significant reduction in the risk of acquiring HIV in a vaccine. A special session was held at the AIDS Vaccine conference in Paris on 20 October 2009 to discuss the results. Listen to session and view presentations on the conference website

Preliminary results of Thai vaccine trial

The results of a large clinical trial of an investigational HIV vaccine regimen, known as 'RV144', were released on 25 September 2009 indicating that the vaccine is safe and modestly effective in reducing the risk of acquiring HIV.

HIV acquisition diminishing over time in STEP study

The trend towards an increased risk of HIV acquisition associated with prior adenovirus exposure in vaccine recipients in early follow-up from the STEP study seems to diminish over time, Susan Buchbinder told the AIDS Vaccine 2009 conference in Paris. See report on aidsmap

Current trials

The AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC) provides information on ongoing vaccine trials and trial results. The AVAC website provides a vaccine trials table and in-depth information on trials and products including a global map of current trial sites.

AFAO's role

AFAO has been involved in two AIDS vaccine trials in the last decade: one was the trial of a novel Australian DNA-fowlpox construct developed by Australian Thai Vaccine Consortium, and the second was the Merck adenovirus vaccines (also known as the Step study). The Australian vaccine did not show immonogenicity in phase I trials and development has ceased. The Merck vaccine did not have a protective effect in high-risk volunteers, and increased susceptibility in certain participants due to mechanisms not fully understood.

See also:

The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative