- Every year on May 18 we celebrate World AIDS Vaccine Day or HIV Vaccine Awareness Day.
- This day is all about spreading awareness about Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and its immunisation measures and the importance of vaccine to prevent HIV infection and to acknowledge the efforts of thousands of scientists and health professionals who are working relentlessly on finding a vaccine against Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- The World AIDS Vaccine Day or HIV Virus Awareness Day is observed by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID).
- The concept of this day is rooted the first time in May 1998 after the speech of President Bill Clinton at Morgan State University in 1997 where he said that a vaccine was the only way to limit the spread and eventually wipe out HIV.
- According to WHO, 37.9 million [32.7–44.0 million] people were living with HIV at the end of 2018. As we know human immunodeficiency virus or HIV infects cells of the immune system in the body which leads to a life-threatening condition or AIDS.
- This infection is spread from an infected person to another through sharing of needles, blood, unprotected sex and from mother to child during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding.
- To help in slowing the replication of the virus, the importance of prevention through creation of awareness, safe sex practices, avoidance of needle sharing and early testing of at-risk individuals.
- The goal is to prepare a possible vaccine to boost person’s immunity to fight HIV.
- Usually, World AIDS Vaccine Day is celebrated by holding activities around the world. But, due to COVID-19 lockdown, no gatherings will take place. Video-conferencing will be used to interact with fellow scientists and healthcare professionals.
