human immunodeficiency virus

After over 25 years of failed formulas, an HIV vaccine has, for the first time, displayed the ability to confer some immunity against the virus. Deployed in a clinical trial in Thailand, the vaccine managed to prevent infection in a significant minority of volunteers. However, scientists involved in the study caution that they cannot fully explain the success, and that the vaccine only worked in a portion of those who received it.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). HIV destroys cells that are crucial to the human immune system.


The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS estimates that out of the 40 million people living with HIV worldwide, 28.1 million dwell in Africa. The organization reports that 24 million people worldwide have died of AIDS. Although scientists have been able to slow replication of the virus, currently no cure exists.