An HIV-1 specific immunogenic composition comprising a) gp120 depleted HV-1 antigen, either alone or admixed with IFA to yield HIV immunogen, and b) an immunomodulatory oligonucleotide having the structure 5???-TCTGTCRTTCT-X-TCTTRCTGTCT-5??? (SEQ ID NO: 1) wherein X is a glycerol linker and R is 2???-deoxy-7-deazaguanosine. 3.