Woot! Experimental HIV Vaccine Raises Hopes

[Rabrrrrrr]

BANGKOK -- For the first time, an experimental vaccine has prevented infection with the AIDS virus, a watershed event in the deadly epidemic and a surprising result. Recent failures led many scientists to think such a vaccine might never be possible.

The vaccine cut the risk of becoming infected with HIV by more than 31% in the world's largest AIDS vaccine trial of more than 16,000 volunteers in Thailand, researchers announced Thursday in Bangkok.

Even though the benefit is modest, "it's the first evidence that we could have a safe and effective preventive vaccine," Col. Jerome Kim said in a telephone interview. He helped lead the study for the U.S. Army, which sponsored it with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125377232802336889.html?mod=djemalertNEWS

[TZ]

1. Actually it was a combination of TWO different vaccines.

I hate it when they don't get the facts straight. This is an interesting new strategy in vaccine development though. AND a breakthrough in HIV treatment. No vaccine has shown any real efficacy yet. While there is a long ways to go in getting a truly effective vaccine, its a promising first step.

[charlie and algernon]

2. We can hope

a serious HIV vaccine would one of the greatest discoveries/creations in human history.

[Rhythm]

3. If they ever perfect this, i just may collapse and cry

I lost too many good friends over the last couple of decades...

[Captain Hilts]

4. Thank the US Army. A shout out to the folks at WRAMC!

[TZ]

5. They do a lot of good medical research

When I was at NIH working on experimental malaria vaccines, we were working with WR on the project as well.

[Captain Hilts]

6. I live right near NIH and donate platelets at Walter Reed and did banking at Bethesda Naval!