Story
January 22, 2026
How HIV Researchers Overcame Setbacks and Kept a Vaccine Trial Going
Country:
The country may be on the cusp of a few extraordinary advances.
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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