Study to Compare the Immunogenicity and Safety of Two HIV Preventive Vaccinations in Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion Criteria: * age between 18 and 55 years on the day of screening * available for follow-up for the duration of the study (78 weeks from screening) * able to give written informed consent * at low risk of HIV and willing to remain so for the duration of the study low risk of HIV infection defined as: * no history of injecting drug use in the previous ten years * no gonorrhoea or syphilis in the last six months * no high risk partner (e.g. injecting drug use, HIV positive partner) either currently or within the past six months * no unprotected anal intercourse in the last six months, outside a relationship with a regular partner known to be HIV negative * no unprotected vaginal intercourse in the last six months outside a relationship with a regular known/presumed HIV negative partner * willing to undergo a HIV test * willing to undergo a genital infection screen * if heterosexually active female, using an effective method of contraception with partner (combined oral contraceptive pill; injectable contraceptive; IUCD; consistent record with condoms if using these; physiological or anatomical sterility in self or partner) from 14 days prior to the first vaccination until 4 months after the last, and willing to undergo urine pregnancy tests prior to each vaccination * if heterosexually active male, using an effective method of contraception with their partner from the first day of vaccination until 4 months after the last vaccination * for French volunteers o…