Army sponsors world's largest HIV vaccine study
What is it'
The Army sponsored the world's largest HIV vaccine trial, recently conducted in Thailand that tested a "prime-boost" vaccine strategy composed of two investigational vaccines, ALVAC and AIDSVAX B/E.
This successful international collaboration involved officials from Thailand, the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the U.S National Institute of Health, the Department of Defense, private and commercial companies and more than 16,000 Thai volunteers who were HIV-negative.
Both men and women between the ages of 18 to 30 participated in the study. Half of the participants received the prime-boost vaccine regimen and half received a placebo. Volunteers received vaccinations over the course of 6 months and were followed for an additional 3 years. Volunteers also received HIV tests every 6 months for 3 years following the vaccination.
What has the Army done'
The U.S. Army's sponsorship of the largest HIV vaccine study ever conducted is only the most recent example of a long-standing commitment to basic medical and scientific research. For over two centuries, the U.S. military has provided some of medicine's greatest advances and solved many significant international health problems, particularly in infectious diseases. While the U.S. Army pursues medical research for our Soldiers and Army family, much of this research directly benefits global public health.
Why is this important to the Army'
The study findings represent new hope for HIV research, providing the first evidence that development of a safe and effective preventive HIV vaccine is possible. Leading scientists are analyzing the results and developing plans for follow-up studies, which should provide clues to guide scientists towards a more effective vaccine. This is a unique opportunity, and one that the international scientific community can work together to build upon.
What has the Army planned for the future'
The Army will continue to be an aggressive sponsor and is committed to developing a globally effective HIV vaccine to protect U.S. and allied troops from infection and to support the U.S. National Security Strategy by reducing the global impact of the disease.
Resources:
<a href="http://mrmc.amedd.army.mil" target="_blank">U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command</a>
<a href="http://www.hivresearch.org/phase3/phase3photos.html" target="_blank"> RV144 Phase III HIV vaccine trial study photographs</a>
Related articles:
<a href="https://mrmc-www.army.mil/index.cfm'pageid=hot_links.hivvaccinetrial" target="_blank">HIV vaccine trial in Thailand to continue</a>
<a href="http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx'id=56945" target="_blank">Hiv/Aids vaccine has promising results</a>
<a href="http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/09/24/27839-us-army-sponsors-first-hiv-vaccine-trial-to-show-some-effectiveness-in-preventing-hiv/" target="_blank"> U.S. Army sponsors first HIV vaccine trial to show some effectiveness in preventing HIV</a>
Social Sharing