World celebrates AIDS Vaccine Day in May

CAIRO – 19 May 2021: AIDS or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a chronic, life-threatening disease caused by the HIV or the human immunodeficiency virus, for which science has not yet found a vaccine.

Infection with this virus gradually reduces the effectiveness of the human immune system, leaving those infected with it vulnerable to deadly infections and tumors.

Although Antiretroviral treatment may slow the progression of the disease and reduce the mortality rate by the virus, there is still no vaccine or radical treatment for this disease.

However, in the hope that science can make the "vaccine dream" a reality, the world celebrates World AIDS Vaccine Day annually on May 18.

On this day, supporters of the HIV vaccine celebrate the day by encouraging the ongoing urgent need for a vaccine to prevent HIV and AIDS infection.

According to the World Health Organization, advocates for HIV vaccination are celebrating this day by reinforcing the continuing urgency of a vaccine to prevent HIV and AIDS infection.

They acknowledge and thank the thousands of volunteers, community members, health professionals, supporters and scientists working together to find a safe and effective AIDS vaccine and urge the international community to recognize the importance of investing in new technologies as a critical component of a comprehensive response to the HIV / AIDS.

The idea of celebrating World AIDS Vaccine Day came on May 18, 1997 in President Bill Clinton's speech at Morgan State University. 

Clinton challenged the world to set new goals in the emerging era of science and technology and to develop a vaccine against AIDS within the next decade, saying: “Only a truly effective, preventive HIV vaccine can reduce the risk of AIDS and ultimately eliminate it.”

World AIDS Vaccine Day was celebrated on May 18, 1998 to commemorate the anniversary of Clinton's speech, and is still celebrated until today.

Every year, societies around the world hold a variety of activities on World AIDS Vaccine Day to increase awareness of AIDS vaccines, educate communities about HIV prevention and researching an AIDS vaccine, drawing attention to the ways in which ordinary people could be a part of international efforts to stop the virus.