Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - August 27, 2003
Aphaluck Bhatiasevi
Diseases Control Department chief Charan Tinwuthipongse said operators of the Phase 3 Aids vaccine testing project were seeking FDA approval to import the vaccine and recruit volunteers for vaccine testing in the two provinces.
The project was endorsed by a US army committee and four Thai panels representing the army, Mahidol University, the Public Health Ministry's Ethical Review Board, and the National Aids Commission, Dr Charan said.
He assured that the volunteers, none of whom had Aids, would not be infected with the HIV virus during the trial.
The volunteers would be split into two groups: one to be given the Aids vaccine and the other to receive a placebo vaccine.
Dr Charan said Thailand was ready for Aids vaccine tests in terms of volunteer screening, vaccine maintenance, and collection of blood samples.
The research team was waiting for FDA approval to import the Aids vaccine from the United States, he said.
Dr Charan yesterday inspected health stations and public hospitals in Chon Buri to ensure readiness for the vaccine tests.
Dr Prasert Thongcharoen, who chairs the National Aids Commission's sub-committee controlling Aids vaccine tests, said the panel allowed the Public Health Ministry to test the vaccine on condition that the project must benefit scientific study and help educate people on Aids prevention.
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