VACCINE RESEARCH CENTER PARTNERS WITH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN HERPES PREVENTION RESEARCH STUDY

We are long overdue for vaccines to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, which impact millions of adults and newborns worldwide..."

CA (PRWEB) December 17 2003--The UCLA Center for Vaccine Research at Harbor-UCLA Research & Education Institute (Torrance), together with Southern California colleges and universities, is taking part in an important national research study to evaluate the effectiveness of a vaccine to prevent genital herpes in women. About 20-25% of the population has the virus that causes genital herpes, which annually affects a half-million new people. Currently, there is no vaccine to protect against the spread of this sexually transmitted disease, and there is no cure.

The study, which is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), follows two earlier clinical trials of the vaccine involving more than 7,400 men, women, teens and adults. In those studies, the vaccine proved to be effective in nearly three quarters of women who had no prior evidence of the viruses (HSV-1 or HSV-2) that cause herpes outbreaks.

This new research study will focus specifically on women 18-30 years of age who have not contracted the viruses. Nationwide, more than 7,500 women will participate at over 20 sites. In Southern California, both Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State Long Beach are designated study sites, along with the UCLA Center for Vaccine Research. Financial compensation is available to those women who qualify to participate.

We are long overdue for vaccines to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, which impact millions of adults and newborns worldwide. Herpes infections are life long, and options for treatment are limited and imperfect. Prevention must be a high priority if we are to impact the rising tide of genital herpes infections, and finding safe and effective vaccines may be one of the most promising contributions to the prevention strategy," says Dr Ward, Director, UCLA Center for Vaccine Research, Herpevac Trial for Women.

Women who may wish to participate or would like more information are encouraged to contact Linda Lynes, Nurse Practitioner / Study Coordinator at (310) 781-3693 or 800-637-8860 or llynes@rei.edu.

Additional information about genital herpes and this study can also be found on the web at www.niaid.nih.gov/herpevac.

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