How HIV researchers overcame setbacks and kept a vaccine trial going

2026-01-22

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Scientists say research into a vaccine for HIV is further along than it’s ever been.But Trump administration cuts to scientific research have set that effort back.Including a promising trial for an HIV vaccine in Africa – which was shut down altogether.NPR’s Ari Daniel has the story of how researchers there refused to give up.Ari’s reporting for this story was supported by a grant from the Pulitzer Center. The Gates Foundation is a financial supporter of NPR.

Scientists say research into a vaccine for HIV is further along than it’s ever been.

But Trump administration cuts to scientific research have set that effort back.

Including a promising trial for an HIV vaccine in Africa – which was shut down altogether.

NPR’s Ari Daniel has the story of how researchers there refused to give up.

Ari’s reporting for this story was supported by a grant from the Pulitzer Center. The Gates Foundation is a financial supporter of NPR.

This episode was produced by Mallory Yu and Kira Wakeam.

It was edited by Rebecca Davis and Courtney Dorning.

Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.

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