HIV/AIDS vaccine has promising results

[The Straight Story]

HIV/AIDS vaccine has promising results


by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Molly A. Burgess
Defense Media Activity

12/4/2009 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Through combined military research programs and medical cooperation, the Defense Department has been able to accomplish incredible promise in a future vaccine development for HIV and AIDS, a senior official in that effort said Dec. 3.

"The U.S. Army has sponsored a vaccine program which has now, for the first time ever, shown efficacy in being able to protect individuals from infection with HIV," said Dr. Rick Shaffer, the director of the Defense Department's HIV and AIDS Prevention Program, during a Military Health System "Dot Mil Docs" podcast interview.

The prevention program was established in an effort to minimize and prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS through the uniformed services, and to provide support to various countries in the fight for prevention, Doctor Shaffer said.

Comprehensive prevention programs that include policies and priorities from the highest leadership levels on down work better than individual activities and efforts, Doctor Shaffer noted, citing an interagency program called the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, a program launched to help combat global HIV and AIDS.

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123180633