May 15, 2006 -- HIV Vaccine 'Eludes Us,' NIH Says

Basic research has shown how HIV causes AIDS and how the immune system tries to contain infection, but despite almost 100 clinical trials since 1987, "an effective vaccine eludes us," the director of the federal National Institutes of Health said in a statement today. Noting that May 18 will be the 9th annual HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, Dr. Anthony Fauci called for continued basic and clinical research to design promising new vaccine candidates and to test their potential for preventing HIV infection. He urged supporters to show support for HIV vaccine research by wearing their AIDS ribbon upside-down to symbolize a "V" for vaccine. "Please take this opportunity to learn more about HIV vaccine research and to educate someone you know about the importance of developing a vaccine for HIV," Fauci said. Further information about HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is available at http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/news/events/HVAD/.