Possible Vaccine Outcomes

It is important to realize that scientists are still learning about how vaccines might work to prevent HIV infection. An HIV vaccine may be totally successful in preventing infection, known as "sterilizing immunity." Sterilizing immunity may be possible in 100% of the population, or perhaps only in certain groups. In another scenario, a preventive vaccine may not prevent primary infection, but decrease the possibility of HIV transmission from an infected individual to another person. Yet another possibility is that a vaccine may slow the process of infection, so that even if a person becomes HIV infected, the vaccine helps the vaccinated individual remain healthier longer. The following list provides details about the variety of ways that scientists believe a preventive HIV vaccine might work.