We can learn valuable lessons about how best to introduce future AIDS vaccines by participating in the rollout of existing vaccines. The cervical cancer vaccine, which protects recipients from some types of the human pappiloma virus (HPV), is a case in point:

• An effective AIDS vaccine could, like the HPV vaccine, be used to vaccinate girls and young adolescents before they become sexually active
• The HPV vaccine must be delivered to a target population that is not served by traditional infant and child vaccination programs. AIDS vaccines will face similar challenges
• The HPV vaccine, like any future HIV vaccine, is best delivered in the context of a comprehensive response to prevent sexually transmitted infections, including HIV

IAVI is working with PATH, an international, nonprofit global health organization in Uganda and India to learn about HPV vaccine delivery and uptake. Through our partnership with the Cervical Cancer Action coalition, an organization that advocates for measures to prevent cervical cancer, we are learning about how to engage partner organizations in comprehensive prevention efforts that include vaccination.

We are also studying international systems of vaccine procurement and regulation by collaborating with the World Health Organization, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization and the Pan American Health Organization, among others.