A vaccine that prevents AIDS is considered the 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.

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.The results of the study indicate that the trialled vaccine is safe and modestly effective in reducing the risk of acquiring HIV. This is the first human study to show to show a significant reduction in the risk of acquiring HIV in a vaccine candidate trial.

Download AFAO Briefing Paper (PDF - 364 KB, 2pp)

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

AFAO Vaccines Archive

Completed Sydney vaccine trial (Australian Thai Vaccine Consortium)