USAID's Biomedical Research Program: Vaccines Against
HIV
Background
Prevention is a primary strategy in the fight against the worldwide HIV pandemic, and a safe and effective HIV vaccine would provide the ultimate tool to prevent HIV infection. Despite years of extensive research, however, a vaccine to prevent HIV infection has remained elusive. This research - both private and government-sponsored - continues, focusing on defining the necessary components of a vaccine and the best means of delivering it in order to produce the optimal protective response.
USAID's Approach
The U.S. Agency for International Development is working with governmental and nongovernmental partners, including the National Institutes for Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to advance the development of a vaccine against HIV. USAID has funded the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) since 2001, and provided $10.5 million to IAVI in 2003. IAVI is an international, scientific non-governmental organization focused on accelerating the development and introduction of new vaccines and technologies, specifically an HIV vaccine needed primarily in developing countries. This is accomplished through their Vaccine Development Partnerships that link vaccine designers with manufacturers (when necessary) and with developing country sites suitable for testing promising HIV vaccine candidates. This team approach is using the latest in recombinant DNA technologies and provides the necessary technical, organizational, and financial resources to support vaccine development.
Future Directions
Once vaccine candidates are identified, USAID's experience in developing countries will further facilitate vaccine development. Large-scale clinical trials will be needed in countries with high HIV prevalence to test the efficacy of vaccine candidates. USAID will be able to provide critical support for these trials. USAID country missions have well-established relationships with host country governments, the media, and communities, and can help them develop a supportive environment for vaccine trials. USAID's extensive experience in HIV monitoring and evaluation is a resource for information on community prevalence rates and sexual behaviors that can be used in preparing trial sites. USAID also has a long history in HIV communication strategies, community mobilization, and efforts to involve people living with AIDS. This experience will enable USAID to educate and gain the support of government agencies, the media, and community leaders, and help them allay public concerns about vaccine trials.
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