Initial Results of HIV Vaccine Trial in China Show It Is Safe, Effective, Government Agency Says

An experimental HIV vaccine given to 49 volunteers in China in a Phase I trial has been shown to be safe, and initial results indicate efficacy in preventing transmission of HIV-1, according to a statement released this month from China's State Food and Drug Administration, Bloomberg News reports. According to the statement, the experimental vaccine was effective among all the participants after it had been administered for 15 days, and none of the participants taking the vaccine showed "ill effects" after 180 days. "Initial trials of this vaccine show that it is clearly effective," the statement said, adding, "However, we need to push forward with more clinical trials in order to make sure that this vaccine can be used widely." According to Bloomberg News, Xinhua News Agency reported that about 300 people could take part in a Phase II trial of the experimental vaccine -- which has been in development since 2003 -- and 500 participants could be involved in Phase III trials. Some researchers have estimated that an effective and safe HIV vaccine will not be available for at least 10 years (Cheng, Bloomberg News, 8/22).