Attenuated recombinant viruses containing DNA encoding an HCMV antigen, as well as methods and compositions employing the viruses, expression products therefrom, and antibodies generated from the viruses or expression products, are disclosed and claimed. The recombinant viruses can be NYVAC or ALVAC recombinant viruses. The recombinant viruses and gene products therefrom and antibodies generated by the viruses and gene products have several preventive, therapeutic and diagnostic uses. The DNA of the recombinant viruses can be used as probes or for generating PCR primers.