Last month researchers from the US Army and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases announced the successful trial of a new HIV vaccine. However, because the study was based on very few cases, skeptics argued whether the vaccine had any effect after all. Fast forward to this week’s AIDS Vaccine 2009 meeting in Paris where researchers reviewed more data from the trial and found the claims in which the vaccine reduced HIV infection rates by 31% were sound. Additionally, it appears that the vaccine actually was even more effective during the first year of immunization, reducing infection rates by as high as 60%. “It looked like there’s an early effect that wanes with time,” said Seth Berkley, chief executive of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. “It may be that the vaccine generates only weak antibodies against HIV, and these are only effective early on.” Although this vaccine isn’t ready for public use, the knowledge we gained from this research will certainly help in the production of new and improved HIV vaccines. [NEJM via New Scientist]
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Tags: aids, HIV, immunization, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, thailand, vaccination, vaccine
Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
October 23rd, 2009 at 7:13 am
Short term effects in no way measures long term effectiveness or long term side effects. As with any vaccine the core root has to come from the disease itself and this within itself can be detrimental to prospective patients. Add to that the introduction of preservatives and you wind up with a real messy cocktail. Prevention with deadly consequencies.
October 23rd, 2009 at 7:24 am
I have known since second world war II That in this country (USA) EVERYTHING is possibly. I am absoutely aware that my children were born in this country and also his children. WE SHOULD BE COMPLETLY TRUSTING OF THE ABILITY OF THIS COUNTRY. I came here because in my country I married a GI
October 23rd, 2009 at 7:46 am
i an geting so bad it hard to eat go from one room and back how long befor its the end not thing work bob
October 23rd, 2009 at 9:21 am
as long as it just kills mostly the low lifes and drug addicts theres no big hurry. right?
October 23rd, 2009 at 2:09 pm
I think that is great news!!!
October 23rd, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Everyone deserves a second chance…
October 24th, 2009 at 2:44 am
im with the guy that said ur have 2 use the virus 2 make the vacine. i dont want that n me!!! why cant we spend our time and money on a cure to fight the illness instead. babies cant help when the r born with it. then they die b4 ever realy knowing life. we need a cure! not a vacine!!!!
October 24th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
It’s an interesting news that bring us hope for the next anti-HIV generation.
Though there are no news in the cure of HIV yet but with the vaccine already discovered (half way anyway) the cure won’t be long behind….that’s what I hope.
October 28th, 2009 at 7:56 am
Best cure for HIV is to keep it in your pants until marriage.