Issues related to gay and bisexual men's acceptance of a future AIDS vaccine

The purpose of this study was to identify the salient issues related to getting a future AIDS vaccine among a high-risk group. In-depth interviews were conducted with 24 White and Black men who have sex with men (MSM). Participants reported that they would need information regarding the vaccine strategy, the clinical trials research, and vaccine attributes. A prerequisite for Black participants was the prior inclusion of Blacks in clinical trials. A high degree of safety and effectiveness, minimal side-effects, high-perceived risk, and affordable cost would promote vaccine acceptance. Barriers were low degree of safety and effectiveness, harsh side-effects, low-perceived risk, perception of a backlash effect, cost, and inconvenience. MSM may not readily get an AIDS vaccine unless they are provided with specific details and the benefits outweigh the costs. Researchers conducting HIV vaccine trials should provide information about the research and insure that samples represent Black men.