STD VACCINES - AN OVERVIEW

Objectives: To describe the role and current status of vaccine researc h against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Methods: The available literature was reviewed with particular emphasis on bacterial STDs. R esults: Strategic approaches to possible implementation of STD vaccine programmes were analysed. The status of vaccines against bacterial ST Ds (syphilis, chancroid, gonorrhoea, and chlamydia) is described in de tail. Conclusions: The development of safe and effective STD vaccines offers a potent tool for the control of STDs, including direct and ind irect prevention of HIV infection. Future priorities should be in the development of vaccines against gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and syphilis. W hen such vaccines become available, caution should be exercised to ens ure that they do not interfere with the effectiveness of other prevent ion programmes.