Traditional vaccine methods have been unsuccessful in preventing infection by HIV,the virus the causes AIDS. New techniques are being studied to boost antibodies or other pasts of the immune system. But researchers are also working on a method to keep the immune system constantry on guard against HIV.
There are two traditional method for creating a vaccine. One uses a weakened or attenuated version of a live virus to generate an immune response. The other uses a dead virus. Both methods are proven safe and effective, except when it comes to HIV. Vaccine candidates using these methods simple have not been successful in people when it comes to the AIDS virus. "HIV has been a very difficult target for a vaccine for a variety of reasons. It's designed to evade the immune respons by evolution," said Dr. Louis Picker, associate director of Oregon Health and Science University.