Fearless volunteers

       Rayong residents say they took part in the HIV vaccine trial because it will be useful for the world
       The world has 16,402 Rayong residents to thank for their dedication in volunteering for the globe's largest HIV vaccine trial conducted in Thailand six years ago.
       "This is our ray of hope: to keep younger generations from contracting HIV. That's why I decided to join the trial," says 32yearold gardener Aree Khamphonrat, after hearing the trial result which shows it is now possible to produce a powerful prevention against the viral killer.
       The result was announced by the Public Health Ministry on Thursday.
       The Phase III vaccine study was launched in 2003 and involved 16,402 noninfected volunteers aged between 18 and 30, the age group at average risk of contracting HIV. Half of them received the primeboost vaccine combination and the other half received a placebo.
       Modest results
       The trial's final result shows that the experimental vaccine is 31.2percent effective in reducing the risk of infection. It failed to reduce or kill the HIV virus in the blood of infected persons.
       The result, though modest, is a light at the end of the tunnel for scientists around the world.
       6 vaccinations in 3 years
       Aree received six vaccinations in the past three years. She socialised like any other normal person, and occasionally went to a healthcare centre for a routine check.
       "I was excited when the healthcare staff told us about the bloodtest results," she said.
       Aree was reported to be in good health and there were no signs of any chronic illness. "They told me to use a condom when I had sex, but during the trial I had no sex and my test result was negative."
       No worries
       Even though there were reports of two volunteers dying, she said she did not worry about the adverse side effects of the vaccine.
       Thirtythreeyearold freelance worker Tanad Yommaha also had no fears of being a volunteer as he thought the project would be useful to the rest of the world.
       "[During the trial] I went about life like any other normal person because I believed that the vaccine was safe enough to prevent me from becoming infected with HIV," he said.
       Aree and Tanad do not know whether they received the vaccine or a placebo. They are waiting for their individual results, which are to come in next month.