HIV vaccine development remains an urgent priority. This article is a systematic review of HIV vaccine preparedness studies in the high-income 30 Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, to identify factors important for HIV vaccine trial development in injection drug users (IDU), men who have sex with men (MSM), and women at heterosexual risk (WAHR) across these countries. Of 27 articles we identified, willingness to participate (WTP) was assessed in eight studies involving IDU, 11 involving MSM, and one involving WAHR. WTP ranged in IDU at 41-86%, MSM at 23-94%, and in WAHR, it was at 81%. Studies reported recruitment of high-risk individuals. Retention was assessed in eight studies involving IDU, five involving MSM, and three involving WAHR. IDU were retained at a range of 3-98%, MSM at 70-95% and WAHR at 67-92%. This review provides an in-depth summary of HIV vaccine preparedness studies that were conducted in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.