A Vaccine to Defeat HIV
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Craig Timberg's June 20 front-page article, "Spread of AIDS in Africa Is Outpacing Treatment," shed welcome light on how, despite advances in access to AIDS treatment in the developing world, the disease is overwhelming efforts to combat it. With at least six people on the planet becoming infected with HIV for every person put on antiretroviral treatment, we are never going to treat our way out of the epidemic.
The article, however, failed to explore how these facts underscore the imperative for doing everything possible to find a safe, effective vaccine for AIDS. Researchers have made significant progress addressing the scientific challenges to designing an AIDS vaccine. More than 30 clinical vaccine trials are underway, but more must be done to accelerate this research.
We must continue to expand developing-country involvement in vaccine research and development, collaborate creatively to deliver improved vaccine candidates for testing, secure sustained funding to overcome the enormous scientific roadblocks, and develop novel incentives to increase private-sector involvement in AIDS vaccine research.
We must continue to build on current programs but not forget that there is no way out of this epidemic without an AIDS vaccine.
SETH F. BERKLEY
President and Chief Executive
International AIDS Vaccine Initiative
New York
