Prospects for an HIV-vaccine.

A vaccine against HIV is badly needed. In the average clinical situation the virus displays a low-rate capacity to transfer infection. The frequency is significantly below 1 per contact situation, that is, a single infectious unit is the normal cause of infection. The time to induce disease in the adult is between 5 and 10 years. These facts are considered positive in relation to producing an HIV vaccine to achieve sterilizing and/or protective immunity. A summary of animal and human HIV/SIV vaccine studies is made giving certain support for the prospects of producing an HIV vaccine.