Every year may 18 is observed as World AIDS Vaccine Day. The day is also addressed as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, an initiative that is directed towards raising awareness regarding the requirement of HIV vaccines to prevent HIV infection and AIDS.
The day acknowledges and thanks to volunteers, health professionals supporters, and scientists who are working together to find a safe and effective AIDS vaccine. World AIDS Vaccine Day also pushes the international community to recognize the importance of investing in new technologies that can be a comprehensive response to the HIV/AIDS problem.
History
The concept of World AIDS Day was celebrated in May 1998 for the first time after President Bill Clinton gave a speech at Morgan State University in 1997 where he stated that a vaccine was the only way to limit the spread and eventually wipe out HIV.
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus which attacks the body’s immunity. It can be contracted through sharing of needles, blood, unprotected sex; or can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy. Symptoms of flu, fever, sore throat, and fatigue mark the infection’s outbreak within a few weeks.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the next stage to which the virus progresses. Antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) are known to hinder the development of the disease but no permanent cure has been discovered yet.
World AIDS Vaccine Day is celebrated with various kinds of activities around the world. Educational seminars, workshops. Conferences and campaigns are organized in several counties. But since 2019, gatherings on World AIDS vaccine day have not been allowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Theme
The theme for World AIDS Day was Global Solidarity. Significance
carries on to be a serious global public health issue with an estimated population of 38 million living with HIV at the end of 2019. However, with advanced access to effective HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care, HIV infection has become a controllable chronic health condition, allowing people living with HIV to have healthy and long lives.
Human immunodeficiency virus or HIV infects cells of the immune system in the body which leads to a life-threatening condition or AIDS. According to WHO, 37.9 million [32.7–44.0 million] people were living with HIV at the end of 2018. Therefore, educating people about AIDS precautionary measures and misconceptions is important.
