HIV-vaccine research and development in Thailand: evolution and challenges.

Thailand has been committed to HIV-Vaccine Research and Development since the launch of its National Plan, in 1993. Series of phase I/II trials, and two phase III clinical trials, have been conducted. The first efficacy trial was conducted with a high-risk group, injecting drug users (IDUs), and the second involved communities in the Eastern-seaboard provinces of Thailand. Both involved similar challenges in terms of infrastructure strengthening, capacity building, implementing the trials into the existing health system, staffing, and commitments. However, there were different issues in recruitment process, follow up, social impact events and community involvement since the target participants were different.