Strategies to limit life‐long dependence on antiretroviral therapy (ART) are needed. We randomized 81 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected subjects to 4 interventional arms involving continued ART plus ALVAC vCP1452 (or placebo) with or without interleukin (IL)–2 infusions. Viral load rebound 12 weeks after ART interruption was then analyzed to assess immune control. Fifty‐two subjects reached the study end point. ALVAC recipients had 0.5 log₁₀ lower virologic rebounds (). IL‐2 plus vaccine boosted CD4⁺ T cell counts () but did not diminish viral rebound. Significant changes were not detected for HIV‐specific lymphoproliferative responses in any arm. This exploratory protocol provides useful clinical data for future therapeutic immunization trial design.