Major Shake up needed in HIV Vaccine Research

Barré-Sinoussi said that recent advances in fundamental immunology have provided the greatest hope towards progressing to a new and effective vaccine. These include new findings related to our body's innate immunity as well as the vital role played by it in the response to HIV exposure.

He said that recent advances in understanding the very early damage that HIV/SIV infection causes to the immune systems of humans and non-human primates will play an important part in helping us develop an effective vaccine.

Barré-Sinoussi also stressed the importance of future research into the therapeutic vaccination of HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).