News
Scientists Hopeful After Thai Hiv Trials
A recent medical trial in Thailand looks promising after scientists said an experimental vaccine had reduced the risk of HIV infection by a third and Gay men in America are recruited to continue testing.
This vaccine trial, involving more than 16,000 volunteers was the first in which infection has been prevented, according to the US army, which sponsored the trial with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Colonel Jerome Kim, who helped to lead the $105m study for the US army, said it was "the first evidence that we could have a safe and effective preventive vaccine".
The HVTN 505 study will monitor the trial, involving a combination of two vaccines, to determine the likelihood of prevention as well as the effects felt by volunteers who are already HIV Positive.
"(The vaccine) is designed to find cells already infected and to reduce the amount of virus in people if they do get infected. If we get clues that we can accomplish that, it will be a huge next step in developing a safe and effective vaccine," said Jonathan Fuchs, director of vaccine studies at the San Francisco Department of Public Health. "It may not prevent infection but we hope this vaccine will work and it will reduce the burden of infection."
