General

Nearer to an AIDS vaccine?

Scientists make a major breakthrough

The world’s largest study of an HIV/AIDS vaccine just wrapped up in Thailand, and the results are extremely promising—a combination of two experimental vaccines reduced the risk of HIV infection by 30 per cent. The positive outcome is thought to be caused by a “prime-boost” approach, whereby the first vaccine readies the immune system and the second strengthens its attack. However, the combination is geared toward a specific type of the HIV common in Southeast Asia, and it’s not known whether it will work against other strains. Regardless, scientists say the results show a huge potential for reducing HIV infection rates, and that the discovery is a major step toward finding an even more effective vaccine.

The Guardian

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