HIV Vaccine Awareness Day

National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is celebrated on May 18 to recognize all those who are working hard to find a vaccine against HIV. This day is a reminder of the importance of HIV vaccine research. AIDS is a life-threatening disease for which there is still no cure. National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day aims to ensure that people take appropriate precautions to avoid the spread of HIV. This is also the day to reach out to HIV-positive patients and help them cope with it.

History

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) celebrate National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day to express gratitude to all the health professionals who are working around the clock to find a cure for AIDS and stop the spread of HIV.

It is a day to reach out to community members, volunteers, scientists and health professionals who are working together to find a vaccine to prevent HIV AIDS. Various organizations dedicated to health use this day to promote the importance of HIV vaccine research.

The concept of HIV Vaccine Awareness Day derived from a speech given by US President Bill Clinton on May 18, 1997. He emphasized the importance of HIV vaccine development over the next decade, says: “Only a truly effective HIV vaccine can limit and ultimately eliminate the threat of AIDS.”

The first HIV Vaccine Awareness Day was held in 1998 to commemorate the one year anniversary of Bill Clinton's speech on the subject. Every year, different organizations around the country organize events to make people more aware of HIV and how to prevent it. This helps bring individuals together in a collective effort to stop the spread of the HIV pandemic.

About 1.1 million people in the United States are living with HIV, and 39,000 Americans are newly infected with HIV each year. An estimated 14% of these people are unaware that they are infected, and a quarter of those infected are women.

Some facts about HIV

• HIV came from chimpanzees

HIV is derived from SIVs (simian immunodeficiency viruses), which are viruses found in monkeys and chimpanzees.

• One in 10 minutes

Every 9.5 minutes someone is diagnosed with HIV in the United States

• HIV in Africa

91% of the world's HIV-positive children live in sub-Saharan Africa, along with 70% of the general population.

• Deaths

Since its discovery, HIV has claimed the lives of more than 30 million people.

• More than blood

HIV is not only spread through blood, but also through breast milk, vaginal fluids, semen, and anal fluids.

Why HIV Vaccine Awareness Day

• It highlights the importance of finding an HIV vaccine

National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day highlights the importance of finding a cure for AIDS. It also acknowledges all the research being done to make this a reality.

• Thank you experts

National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is a day to thank all doctors and health professionals and encourage them in their continued efforts to find a cure for HIV.

• It spread from

The National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day has made more and more people aware of the seriousness of the disease. Only when people become aware of it do they take steps to help eliminate it.

How to celebrate HIV Vaccine Awareness Day

• Share on social networks

Share resources and articles on social media. Many doctors and organizations provide important information on National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day. Do not forget using the hashtags such as # #NAtionalHIVVaccineAwarenessDay and #HIVVaccineAwarenessDay.

• Reach out through your organization

If you are a medical professional and your organization has a website or a blog, use it for promotion. It will help the career to be approached better.

• Organize an event

Organize an event with the help of friends in your neighborhood. Help people in your community understand the seriousness of AIDS and discuss prevention measures.