PHA-Exchange> Thailand responds to HIV vaccine critics

[Claudio]

> Thailand responds to HIV vaccine critics
>
> 13 February 2004
>
> In January, Science reported that a number of top AIDS
> researchers in the United States say the world's biggest HIV
> vaccine trials, taking place in Thailand, are a "costly
> mistake". The protein in the vaccine has, they say, been
> proven to be incapable of preventing infection (see World's
> biggest HIV vaccine trial 'is a costly mistake')
>
> In this letter, Charal Trinvuthipong, head of disease
> control in Thailand's Ministry of Public Health, says the US
> researchers mention only one vaccine, while the Thai trials
> are studying two using a 'prime-boost' strategy — one
> vaccine as primer, one as booster. Moreover, a special
> consultation by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the
> Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the
> US Centers for Disease Control deemed it appropriate to go
> ahead with the study. And finally, protocols for the study
> were endorsed not only by institutional review boards and
> expert committees in Thailand and the United States, but
> also by the WHO and UNAIDS.
>
> Trinvuthipong stresses that whatever the outcome, experience
> will be gained by both scientists and health workers, the
> laboratory infrastructure will be strengthened, and
> community awareness of the issues raised.
>
> Reference: Science 303, 954 (2004)
>
Note: Advanced Program Now Available for the  International Symposium on HIV
& Emerging Infectious Diseases
> Toulon, France - June 3-5, 2004
>
> Visit the Meeting Web site:
> www.avps.org/2003/hiv.htm <http://www.avps.org/2003/hiv.htm>

> *Email: avps at club-internet.fr <mailto:avps at club-internet.fr>