Organization:
Contact: David Harwood
Abstract: About 20 vaccines are now at various stages of clinical evaluation, and only two are at the advanced, phase III stage.
There is an important research component related to HIV/AIDS prevention. Of special interest is the search for a safe, effective and affordable HIV vaccine. More than 30 candidate HIV vaccine trials have been conducted since 1987. About 20 vaccines are now at various stages of clinical evaluation, and only two are at the advanced, phase III stage. According to experts, late 2002 or the beginning of 2003 is the earliest date at which a vaccine could become available, and it is likely to take many more years still. Among the many efforts underway to develop and test prospective HIV vaccines is the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, which has raised more then $250 million and has four different prospective vaccines for Africa in development. Experts believe that different types of vaccine may be required for different geographic areas because genetically distinct subtypes of HIV have been identified in different regions. Beyond vaccines, there is a substantial research agenda related to women. In particular, there is a need for expanded research on female-controlled methods of HIV prevention. The male condom is the most widely known means of prevention and obviously requires male acceptance. But the lack of control women have over use even of a female condom illuminates the need for more advanced female-controlled methods. In many places, women lack the ability to refuse sex or ensure the practice of safe sex. Of special interest to researchers is development of microbicides, which are substances (creams, gels, etc.) that women can use to guard against HIV transmission.