PLoS Medicine
http://www.plosmedicine.org/
(Accessed 4 March 2017)

Perspective
Hope for HIV control in southern Africa: The continued quest for a vaccine
Linda-Gail Bekker, Glenda E. Gray
Perspective | published 28 Feb 2017 P
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002241
… The findings of the HVTN 702 trial have the potential to be a great leap in HIV prevention research, with vaccine efficacy results anticipated in early 2021. But, even if efficacious, a paramount challenge will be getting the vaccine out of the laboratory and to those people who need it most—particularly, difficult-to-reach populations in low- and middle-income countries. Notably, the cost of vaccine manufacturing will play a large role, as developing countries are already having to make tough decisions regarding optimal funding of HIV prevention and treatment programs. If a vaccine is at best only partially efficacious, the correct combination of preventative measures will need to be explored, likely on a population-specific basis, and choices made. From current predictions, however, a safe vaccine of even modest efficacy could be the game changer necessary to close the HIV prevention gap.