Q. I have been reading Toddler411 and have come to respect your advice and information. So I am asking you this question first to hear your input. My daughter, a military dependant has gotten the first two HIV shots. The military is pushing for the third, but not requiring it. What have you heard/what are your thoughts on the HIV vaccines?

A. Wow. This is a difficult question. The most recent data from the HIV vaccine trials were disappointing.  The data came out in May, showing that the current vaccine in development did not seem to provide significant protection against HIV transmission. Researchers have gone back to the drawing board to make changes and try again. HIV is a very elusive virus and it may take a while until an effective vaccine is developed—but there is still hope that it will happen. I don't know exactly what study she is participating in, but it's really up to her whether or not she wants to continue participating. She's already helped research tremendously by doing the two doses.