International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI)
IAVI is a global not-for-profit, public-private partnership working to accelerate the development of a vaccine to prevent HIV infection and AIDS. Founded in 1996, IAVI researches and develops vaccine candidates, conducts policy analyses, and serves as an advocate for the field. IAVI supports a comprehensive response to HIV/AIDS that balances the expansion and strengthening of existing HIV prevention and treatment programs with targeted investments in new AIDS prevention technologies. It also works to ensure that a future vaccine will be accessible to all who need it.
A lab technician handles blood samples at the Medical University of Southern Africa in Pretoria, South Africa. © International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. Jean-Marc Giboux/Getty Images
IAVI is committed to promoting AIDS vaccine education worldwide, engaging communities in the trial process, and improving clinical infrastructure in areas hardest hit by the global epidemic. With five offices worldwide (New York, Amsterdam, New Delhi, Nairobi, and Johannesburg), IAVI collaborates with the public and private sectors in both western and low- and middle-income countries.
Why the World Needs an AIDS Vaccine
Despite the international community's best efforts, the HIV pandemic continues unabated. In 2007, 33 million people were living with HIV worldwide. This same year, about 2.7 million people became newly infected with HIV and an estimated 2 million lost their lives to AIDS. While there has been recent progress in increasing access to treatment and prevention programs, HIV continues to outpace the global response. Further, while decline in national HIV prevalence has occurred, for example, in some sub-Saharan African countries, these trends are not strong or widespread enough to have a major impact on the epidemics.
A lab technician performs routine analyses in a biosafety cabinet at the Uganda Virus Research Institute. © International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. Jean-Marc Giboux/Getty Images
New technologies to prevent HIV transmission remain imperative. IAVI estimates that the potential positive impact of AIDS vaccines would be enormous, especially in the developing world. There is scientific progress underway in the search for an HIV vaccine. Presently, there are more than 30 clinical trials with HIV vaccine candidates worldwide. With nearly 7,500 people becoming newly infected with HIV each day, accelerating the timetable towards a vaccine must be a global health and development priority of the highest order.
- Fact sheet explaining why a vaccine is possible
- Case study on our network of labs in Africa
- Brochure on our new AIDS Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory in Brooklyn, New York
Join us in imagining a world without AIDS. To learn more, please visit www.iavi.org.