1. MOAX03
Chris Beyrer MD, MPH
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

2. The HIV vaccine field in 2008 is in a phase of re-evaluation
The early halt of the STEP and Phambili trials was a key event for the field
Some have called the trials “scientific failures”;
But:
STEP trial was a well conducted trial that has already resulted in major impacts on the HIV vaccine field; a “Landmark Study” for defining the real hurdles we need to achieve to develop an effective HIV vaccine
The failure of the MRK vaccine is a product failure and a set back for the rapid availability of an effective HIV vaccine
The trial itself has been a success in defining questions and issues that must be answered for developing an HIV vaccine

3. Today you will hear about
The HIV vaccine research requires basic science, clinical science, epidemiology, molecular epidemiology, behavioral science, community engagement, and political will
Today you will hear about
HIV vaccines and circumcision
HIV vaccine trial adherence among drug using women
Molecular epidemiology in Rakai, Uganda
Using the internet to recruit MSM for vaccine trials
Inter-epitope interference and T-cell immunodominance

4. The need for an HIV vaccine has not gone away
History has taught us that persistence is needed to solve difficult problems
Other viral infections (smallpox, polio, measles, rabies) largely controlled by vaccines
Two retroviral vaccines exist and have known efficacy (for horse and cat retroviruses)
The HIV/AIDS community cannot give up on the HIV vaccine research effort