HIV vaccine fails to prevent infection in major south african trial
NCT ID NCT02968849
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.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Aurum Institute Klerksdorp CRS
Klerksdorp, North West, 2571, South Africa
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Aurum Tembisa CRS
Johannesburg, Gauteng, 1632, South Africa
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Emavundleni CRS
Cape Town, Western Cape, 7750, South Africa
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Isipingo CRS
Isipingo, KwaZulu-Natal, 4110, South Africa
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Khayelitsha CRS
Cape Town, Western Cape, 7784, South Africa
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Kliptown Soweto CRS
Johannesburg, Gauteng, 1409, South Africa
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MeCRU CRS
Pretoria, Gauteng, 0204, South Africa
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Qhakaza Mbokodo Research Clinic CRS
Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, 3370, South Africa
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Rustenburg CRS
Rustenburg, North West, 0300, South Africa
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Setshaba Research Centre CRS
Soshanguve, Gauteng, 0152, South Africa
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Soweto HVTN CRS
Johannesburg, Gauteng, 1862, South Africa
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Verulam CRS
Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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Walter Sisulu University HIV Vaccine Research Unit CRS
Mthatha, Eastern Cape, 5099, South Africa
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eThekwini CRS
Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 4013, South Africa