Dr. Clifton Meador, executive director of the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance, described the innovative initiative to the President's Cancer Panel. The panel included, from left, Maureen Wilson, Ph.D., Dr. Harold P. Freeman, and Dr. Paul Calabresi. (photo by Dana Johnson)
Since HIV was first identified over 15 years ago, 47 million people around the world have been infected with the virus. In 1999, about 5.4 million people were infected with HIV.
Dr. Barney Graham, professor of Medicine, is asking for help to prevent the spread of this epidemic. “The goal for us is to prevent HIV infection. The only way to accomplish that in the short term is to educate people about making good decisions,” said Graham, who is leading the Vanderbilt HIV Vaccine Trials Unit. “In the long term, we believe vaccine development is the solution.”
Volunteers are needed at Vanderbilt to help researchers find a vaccine to prevent HIV infection. There is no risk of HIV infection from the vaccines. However, there is a lengthy commitment required for volunteers. The trials last about 18 months.
Dr. Peter Wright, professor of Pediatrics Infectious Diseases, urges everyone to participant in the study. “Participation in studies is truly important,” Wright said.
For more information about vaccine trials at Vanderbilt call 322-HOPE or 1-888-559-HOPE. Participants are compensated.