Harvard scientists have made significant progress in the quest for a method of preventing HIV infection. Previously they have managed to conduct successful test of the vaccine on humans — all who received the drug had produced at least some immune response against HIV, and at least 80% of the subjects produced more complex answers. The researchers also found that the same vaccine protected 67% of rhesus monkeys against the human immunodeficiency virus monkeys and humans, which indicates its potential effectiveness against HIV.
This is not to say that scientists found effective vaccine. Although tests on monkeys are promising, it is necessary to conduct more tests to show that the drug can effectively prevent infection in people. The next step is to test the vaccine on 2600 women in southern Africa who are at risk of Contracting HIV. This is one of the five vaccines that have ever reached such a test, but the previous one was not effective enough to be worth to continue their testing.
However, this vaccine is a powerful way to become successful. Unlike past efforts that focused only on specific strains of HIV, this vaccine represents a “mosaic” that includes parts of several strains to produce more versatile drug. If it proves effective, doctors will be able to widely use it where previous vaccines only worked for small groups, even if they were effective. It is unlikely the decision will be final, but it at least will inflict a serious blow to HIV.
New HIV vaccine has shown good results in human trials
Ilya Hel