The latest global statistics released by UNAIDS last week note that Jamaica is among several countries in the Caribbean making progress in controlling the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

According to the agency's annual report, antiretroviral treatment and positive behaviour changes, which include increased condom use, are some of the key factors, which have resulted in a stabilisation of HIV prevalence in adults in Jamaica.

However, the rate of HIV infection in the Caribbean is still cause for concern. UNAIDS estimates that in 2006, 27,000 persons in the region became infected with HIV. Prevention of HIV is preferable to treating persons who are already infected. Not only would that method prove less costly, it would mean that many persons and countries would be spared the debilitating physical, economic and social effects of HIV/AIDS.

Jamaica has begun the journey towards preventing HIV infections. The Ministry of Health is currently conducting HIV vaccine trials in Jamaica. The trials are being administered by the Epidemiology Research and Training Unit at the Slipe Pen Road Clinic in Kingston. Chief of Epidemiology and Aids at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Peter Figueroa, heads the unit and has maintained that persons cannot contract HIV from the vaccine.

Approximately 12 volunteers have already received HIV vaccines as part of the trials being conducted in Jamaica. The Gleaner has, for the past several weeks, carried excerpts from the diaries of some of the volunteers. Today we continue to turn the pages of the diary of one of the female volunteers.

Yvette, a 38-year-old store clerk, mother of one child, said she volunteered for the vaccine trials because she made a promise to God that some day, she would help someone that she does not know.

Getting vaccinated

"Every day was just another day to me as the vaccine day came closer. I just did not think I needed to stress over it. I just said my prayers as I had made up my mind from the beginning and I had no second thoughts.

"I received my first vaccination on Thursday, November 23, 2006. I went to the Comprehensive Health Centre alone. I did not ask my boyfriend to come with me because I knew he was not very happy about me doing this, so I decided to spare him the anxiety. I knew though that if I really wanted him to go with me, I could have got him to come and hold my hand. I know that even though he is not very happy about it, he is warming up to the idea.

"In the minutes leading up to the vaccination, I was just thinking: 'O.K. this is it - it starts now. I was thinking about the commitment aspect of it - meeting my appointments and responsibilities and also the uncertainty. Who knows what will happen? It could go well or it could go badly in terms of me having a reaction or something like that. Everything was explained to me, but I still had slight misgivings.

"When it was time to get the vaccine, one of the nurses proceeded to explain everything as usual. She started to show me the biojector, which is a special type of instrument used to inject the study product but I just said to her 'Don't even show me, just tell me when you are done !!!!' I just did not want to get scared in the last moments!

"It was a little painful, sort of like getting waxed - a sudden sting that goes away right away after.

After the vaccination

"Now the commitment begins - keeping up with my appointments and keeping records of everything that happens to me physically.

"I had a little dizziness the day after the vaccination, but apart from that, I am just fine. I felt happy because I knew I had done a good thing and as of this weekend, I am thinking about relaxing and letting my boyfriend take care of me. I deserve it, after all!"

Who can volunteer for HIV vaccine trials?

Persons who are: