Abstract: HIV vaccine has become one of the research hotspot for the researchers in the world. Animal model is an important tool for AIDS vaccine research. The slow progress in AIDS vaccine partially imputes to be lack of appropriate animal models. SIV/SHIV macaque model has been widely used in AIDS research. However, there are some limitations inherent in the current models that use either macaque animals or viruses. In order to exploit the potential of nonhuman primate models in AIDS vaccine development, finding a better standardization animal model is an urgent necessity in HIV research. In this review, the strategy and progress towards development of a HIV vaccine, and the present research status and applied prospects of SIV/SHIV macaque model in HIV vaccine research were summarized.