The long-term goal is to develop a non-toxic, effective vaccine that protects people worldwide after HIV infection. However, even if a vaccine only protects a portion of those vaccinated or fails to provide full protection by reducing the risk of infection, it could have a significant impact on infection rates and help contain the pandemic, especially among people at high risk of HIV infection. A partially effective vaccine could reduce the number of people who become infected with HIV and reduce the number of people who can transmit the virus to others, thereby halting the spread of the disease.