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 youth of color, it is important
that African American and Latino youth ages 18 to 24
volunteer and support HIV vaccine research. Volunteers
are urgently needed from the Latino or African American
community, especially young women and young men who have
sex with men.
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.
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