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Brazil
In Brazil, vaccine trial preparation has since 1992 been an integral part of the national response to HIV and AIDS. The initial impetus for this came from gay community groups, in response to an initiative from the World Health Organisation. Community groups have since worked in partnership with the medical profession and political authorities. The programme is steered through regional and national committees, including representatives of the community.
The Brazilian programme involves mobilising and educating the population, particularly of men who have sex with men, through a series of workshops. Phase I and II clinical trials have been carried out. Further trials are to follow, as and when better candidates become available. Brazil's national HIV vaccine strategy is a model of its kind (Carvalheiro, 2000). The community mobilisation has also served as the basis for similar mobilisation in other Latin American countries (Beloqui).