HIV Vaccines
A preventive HIV vaccine is the best hope for slowing the spread of HIV. A preventive HIV vaccine is a substance that teaches the body’s immune system to recognize and protect itself against HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Ideally the vaccine would be given to uninfected (HIV-negative) people to keep them from becoming infected, if exposed to HIV, by helping their immune system to respond faster to the HIV virus before it takes over the immune system's defenses.
Currently, there is no preventive HIV vaccine available. More vaccines than ever before are being tested all over the world, but, currently, we do not have one that has been proven to work effectively among all populations, including adolescents and young adults. In addition, it is important to know that HIV vaccines do not contain any actual HIV, and, therefore, cannot cause HIV in those who participate in HIV vaccine research trials.
Real people, real progress.Thousands of clinical volunteers, scientists and health professionals are working hard to find an effective HIV vaccine, but the vision will only be realized by years of research and community involvement. Each day, progress is being made in the search for an HIV vaccine. While no vaccine exists yet, scientists believe they are getting closer to finding an effective preventive HIV vaccine and are working to speed up the research process. More vaccine candidates are being tested, and the number of HIV vaccine trial sites around the world is expanding.
Given the high rates of HIV infection among young people ages 13 to 24 and the disproportionate rates of HIV infections among young women of color, it is important that young women of color ages 18 to 24 volunteer and support HIV vaccine research. Volunteers are urgently needed from the communities of color, especially young women.
Advocates for Youth's Online Resources
Fact Sheets Answering Your Questions about HIV Vaccine Research
The fact sheets below provide more information about HIV vaccine research related to populations disproportionately infected with HIV. These populations also have the lowest participation rates in HIV vaccine trials. For example, among men who have sex with men (MSM), the deficit occurs among men of color.
- For African Americans [pdf]
- For Latinos [pdf]
en español—Latinos e Hispanos: Respuestas acerca de la investigación de la vacuna contra el VIH [pdf]
- For Men Who Have Sex with Men [pdf]
- For Women [pdf]
Information on HIV Vaccine Research or Clinical Trials in Your Area
Call 800.448.0440 or visit the Web sites of the organizations below for information on HIV vaccine research or clinical trials in your area. HIV Vaccine Trial Network's List of Global Trial Sites
National Institutes of Health’s Vaccine Research Center
AIDSInfo's Overview of Vaccines
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