World AIDS Vaccine Day

May 18th every year is considered World AIDS Vaccine Day, an initiative to raise awareness about the requirement of HIV vaccines to prevent HIV and AIDS transmission.

Effort serves a double purpose. World AIDS Vaccine Day mainly tries to honor the healthcare workers, scientists and volunteers/advocates who have dedicated their lives in the effort to bring about an effective and safe AIDS vaccine. And another focuses on the importance of a vaccine - a shield to protect against a life-threatening virus.

Through this amazing project led by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), everyone is being told that HIV can be prevented and that each of us has a role to play in the process and must share the global responsibility.

History of World AIDS Vaccine Day

It was in 1998, May 18th, which the world witnessed the first World AIDS Vaccine Day. The concept of HIV Vaccine Awareness Day dates back to former US President Bill Clinton's inaugural address at Morgan State University in 1997 (May 18th). He cited the absolute necessity of vaccines to prevent and destroy the deadly disease. Clinton emphasized putting science and technology to its optimal use and creating a vaccine that enhances an individual's ability to fight HIV; and thus protect the world from the deadly clutches of AIDS.

Since then, World AIDS Vaccine Day has been celebrated by various organizations around the globe to remind and remind people of prevention measures, while providing education about AIDS, encouraging research; and ensure the full participation of ordinary people in this noble dynamic.

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus that attacks the body's immunity. It can be transmitted by sharing needles, blood, or having unprotected sex; or can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy. Flu symptoms, fever, sore throat and fatigue mark an outbreak of infection within weeks.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the next stage in which the virus progresses.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is known to impede the progression of the disease, but no permanent cure has yet been discovered.

Therefore, the creation of an HIV Vaccine can be considered as a prophylactic measure for people who do not have HIV. These efforts are aimed at accelerating the development of a vaccine.

What are HIV and AIDS?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus which is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. The virus is transmitted from one individual to another through the sharing of needles, blood, and unsafe sex and also from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. Within a few weeks of infection, patients may have flu-like symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, and fatigue.

The virus then progresses without symptoms and develops into AIDS. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevents the body's ability from infections. It can present symptoms such as fatigue, night sweats, fever, weight loss, and recurrent infections. Strict adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) can slow the progression of the disease, but so far no cure for AIDS has been found.

In fact, HIV/AIDS is one of the most destructive pandemics facing humanity.

Some facts about World AIDS Vaccine Day

• HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus attacks the cells that help the body fight infection. It makes a person become more susceptible to other diseases.
• t is spread by contact with certain bodily fluids of an HIV-infected person
• If left untreated, HIV can lead to AIDS or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
• There is currently no vaccine to prevent HIV infection or to treat people with it. However, scientists are working to develop a vaccine against AIDS.
• More and more people with HIV are leading normal lives because they have access to life-saving antiretroviral therapy or ART.
• Vaccines are the most effective means of preventing and even eradicating infectious diseases.
• An estimated 38.0 million people were infected with HIV by the end of 2019: WHO
• By June 2020, 26 million people were accessing antiretroviral therapy, up 2.4% from the estimated 25.4 million at the end of 2019: WHO
• Increased vulnerability to HIV is often associated with legal and social factors, increasing exposure in high-risk situations and creating barriers to accessing prevention services, considering Effective, quality and affordable HIV testing and treatment: WHO
• HIV testing must be voluntary and the right to refuse testing must be recognized. Forced inspection by any authority is unacceptable because it undermines good public health practice and violates human rights: WHO

How to celebrate World AIDS Vaccine Day

World AIDS Vaccine Day gives us the opportunity to say a huge 'thank you' to the scientists, healthcare workers, community members and social workers who are working tirelessly to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan took to Twitter today and wrote: ''This pandemic has highlighted the nuances of vaccines like never before. World AIDS Day is an opportunity to express gratitude to the scientists and researchers who work together to find a safe, effective vaccine to prevent HIV infection. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), ''HIV continues to be a major global public health problem, having claimed the lives of nearly 33 million people to date.''