Recent phase 1 clinical trials of mRNA-based HIV vaccines have demonstrated promising results, with about 80% of participants developing strong immune responses, including potent neutralizing antibodies. These vaccines utilize a membrane-anchored envelope trimer design that conceals distracting regions of the HIV surface protein, thereby enhancing the immune system's ability to mount a protective response. The approach has shown higher neutralizing antibody response rates compared to soluble trimer vaccines and has been generally well-tolerated, although some recipients experienced unpleasant skin reactions. This advancement marks a key step in HIV vaccine development, with durable immune responses observed in both animal models and human subjects. Despite this progress, experts caution that an approved HIV vaccine is likely still decades away. Additionally, China's National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention recently completed a phase 1 trial of its first replication-competent Tiantan vaccinia-based AIDS vaccine, representing a major breakthrough in the country's HIV vaccine efforts.