Scientists have spent billions of dollars in the fight against the AIDS. Studies are underway in hopes of creating a vaccination against the disease. Because the virus mutates quickly, developing a vaccine has proven to be a challenge. The risk of contracting AIDS from a vaccination has lead to a shortage of willing people for clinical trials.http://www.parade.com/news/intelligence-report/archive/090719-the-search-for-an-aids-vaccine.html

In a clinical trial held in Thailand, some patients saw a protection against the disease. The results, released on September 24, 2009, were the first time such vaccine was successful.http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/health/research/25aids.html?hp

Controversy over whether or not a successful AIDS vaccine will be found continues. While the need for a vaccine is pressing, research is difficult due to the issues associated with infecting clinical trial subjects with AIDS.

• 20 years of failed researchTIME: Assessing a Failed AIDS Vaccine (November 7, 2007)
• Costing billions of dollarsTIME: Assessing a Failed AIDS Vaccine (November 7, 2007)
• Immunity to common vaccine vectors presentTIME: Assessing a Failed AIDS Vaccine (November 7, 2007)
• Risk of contracting it in clinical trialsTIME: Assessing a Failed AIDS Vaccine (November 7, 2007)

In November of 2007, the hope of an AIDS vaccine was crushed by research showing that Merck's vaccine had failed. Not only did research show the AIDS vaccine had failed, but many clinical trial subjects may have actually contracted AIDS.TIME: Assessing a Failed AIDS Vaccine (November 7, 2007)

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before for developments regarding the AIDS vaccine.