Study Tests Potential Herpes Vaccine

A study underway at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) aims to determine whether an experimental vaccine is safe and effective in preventing genital herpes in young women.

The study marks the final phase of testing for the candidate vaccine, called HERPEVAC, developed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

"If proven effective it will be the first vaccine for a sexually transmitted disease," says Edward Hook, MD, professor of medicine.

Nationally, 40 sites are participating in the study, directed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and GSK. In total, sites will enroll 7,500 women between the ages of 18 and 30 who do not have oral or genital herpes. UAB will enroll 500 volunteers.

Source: UAB