New HIV Vaccine "More Powerful" Than Past Attempts

Researchers in Spain are testing an HIV vaccine that has been deemed "much more powerful" than others that have been tested in the past.

The vaccine initially showed a high rate of protection against the viruses in monkeys and mice. Testing in humans, administered by a team from the National Biotechnology Center of Spain's CISC research council, began a year ago, according to Fox News Latino.

So far, 95% of the 30 patients who received the vaccine have built an immunity. Eighty-five percent of the patients were able to sustain that immunity for at least a year. Previously, the success rate for vaccines has been 25%. The vaccine was able to stimulate the production of cells and antibodies, whereas previous vaccines usually only produced either cells or antibodies. The vaccine is specialized to protect against a subtype of HIV that is more prevalent in Europe, North America, and South America.