BMJ  2007;334:1346-1348 (30 June), doi:10.1136/bmj.39240.416968.AD

Feature

HIV research

Quest for the AIDS vaccine

BMJ, London WC1H 9JR

Researchers broadly agree that the best way to halt the AIDS epidemic is to develop a vaccine against HIV. But despite huge investment a vaccine is proving elusive, as Alison Tonks explains

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The AIDS pandemic is now more than 25 years old, and for most of its history, scientists have been searching for an effective vaccine against HIV. There have been many false dawns, dashed hopes, and disappointments along the way as evangelical rhetoric has eventually given way to a more pragmatic acceptance that a vaccine would be great, and may even be possible, but it won't be on offer at a clinic near you any time soon. The most optimistic experts predict it will be at least another 10 years before any kind of vaccine is available¹; the most pessimistic say it could take 50. Even then, the first vaccines will probably be only partially effective.² Why is such an important task taking so long?

The trouble with HIV

HIV is one of the most complex viruses ever identified, and it's extremely good at evading any immune mediated strategy directed against it. HIV is . . . [Full text of this article]

Traditional techniques don't work

What are the options?

Vaccine options

Will a vaccine be worth the effort?

Key organisations in HIV vaccine research

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

Related Articles

The societal costs of failing to develop a vaccine

Jeremiah Norris
BMJ 2007 335: 60. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

FAFfing about

Tony Delamothe
BMJ 2007 334: 0. [Extract] [Full Text]

People with AIDS are dying because of inadequate staffing, says MSF

Pat Sidley
BMJ 2007 334: 1133. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Norris, J. (2007). The societal costs of failing to develop a vaccine. BMJ 335: 60-60 [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

The Societal Costs of Failing to Develop an AIDS Vaccine

Jeremiah Norris
bmj.com, 30 Jun 2007 [Full text]