Walsh & Hoyt: Vaccination

Prevention of HIV infection through a vaccination strategy remains a high priority in the international and national community. More than 30 different vaccines have been used in limited clinical trials, and a large number of potential immunogens, such as inactivated whole virus and recombinant envelope and core HIV proteins, are in development or in clinical trials. Presently there are several phase III trials ongoing with promising agents, including the use of the env protein to induce both humoral and cell-mediated immunity. The genetic diversity of the HIV isolates creates real and potential difficulties in vaccine development, and the capability of the organism to mutate and create resistant isolates remains a great challenge. Ultimately, control of the HIV pandemic will require development of a safe and effective prophylactic vaccine.