HIV vaccine fails to prevent infection in major south african trial

NCT ID NCT02968849

Completed Prevention Sponsor: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This large study tested an experimental HIV vaccine in over 5,400 healthy South African adults at risk of HIV. The vaccine was designed to teach the immune system to fight HIV. Unfortunately, the vaccine did not prevent HIV infection, and the trial was stopped early. The results provide important safety data but show that this particular vaccine approach does not work.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: ALVAC-HIV (vCP2438) and bivalent subtype C gp120/MF59 vaccine
What this could lead to: If it had worked, this vaccine could have helped prevent HIV infection in high-risk adults.
What could go wrong: The trial was stopped early because the vaccine did not prevent HIV infection. It was a large, well-run study, but the approach proved ineffective.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

HIV infectious disease prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

HIV INFECTIONS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Aurum Institute Klerksdorp CRS

Klerksdorp, North West, 2571, South Africa
Aurum Tembisa CRS

Johannesburg, Gauteng, 1632, South Africa
Emavundleni CRS

Cape Town, Western Cape, 7750, South Africa
Isipingo CRS

Isipingo, KwaZulu-Natal, 4110, South Africa
Khayelitsha CRS

Cape Town, Western Cape, 7784, South Africa
Kliptown Soweto CRS

Johannesburg, Gauteng, 1409, South Africa
MeCRU CRS

Pretoria, Gauteng, 0204, South Africa
Qhakaza Mbokodo Research Clinic CRS

Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, 3370, South Africa
Rustenburg CRS

Rustenburg, North West, 0300, South Africa
Setshaba Research Centre CRS

Soshanguve, Gauteng, 0152, South Africa
Soweto HVTN CRS

Johannesburg, Gauteng, 1862, South Africa
Verulam CRS

Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Walter Sisulu University HIV Vaccine Research Unit CRS

Mthatha, Eastern Cape, 5099, South Africa
eThekwini CRS

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 4013, South Africa

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