24 September,2009 03:14 PM IST | | Agencies
Thai health authorities on Thursday announced the first effective trial of an HIV/AIDS vaccine on some 16,000 volunteers.
"It is found that the vaccine has 31.2 per cent efficacy in reducing the risk of HIV infection," Thai Health Minister Withaya Kaewparadai told a press conference.
"The outcome represents a breakthrough in HIV vaccine development because for the first time ever there is evidence that HIV vaccine has preventative efficacy," he added.
The results were part of the HIV Vaccine Trial Phase III in Chonburi and Rayong provinces.
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The trial, deemed the world's largest HIV vaccine study, was sponsored by the US Army Surgeon General with funding from the National Institute of Health and the US Army Medical Research.
Thailand has an estimated 600,000 people who are living with HIV/AIDS.
