World AIDS Vaccine Day: Date, history, significance and quotes

World AIDS Vaccine Day is observed on May 18

World AIDS Vaccine Day, also recognized as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, is observed annually on May 18. AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - a chronic and potentially life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). AIDS is the last stage of HIV infection which leaves the patient with a severely compromised immune system, making them more susceptible to certain cancers and diseases.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic has claimed millions of lives worldwide since it emerged as one of the most significant public health challenges in the 1980s. However, an AIDS vaccine remains elusive even today.

World AIDS Vaccine Day serves as a global initiative to raise awareness about the urgent need for a vaccine to prevent HIV infection and AIDS. It is also a day to thank the scientists, doctors, volunteers and health professionals who are working on a vaccine for AIDS. As well, there are thousands of social workers and volunteers who have worked extremely hard to fight the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS – this day is also a day of gratitude for them.

May 18 was chosen as the date for World AIDS Vaccine Day to commemorate the anniversary of a speech given by then-US President Bill Clinton on May 18, 1997. In his speech, Clinton advocated for the development of an AIDS vaccine. “Only a truly effective, preventive HIV vaccine can limit and eventually eliminate the threat of AIDS,” he said.

The first World AIDS Vaccine Day was observed on May 18, 1998, to commemorate the anniversary of Clinton’s speech.

World AIDS Vaccine Day aims to mobilise greater support for an AIDS vaccine. Even four decades after its emergence, AIDS remains a serious public health risk. In the early days of its emergence in the 1980s, an HIV/AIDS diagnoses meant certain death.

“With no effective treatment available in the 1980s, there was little hope for those diagnosed with HIV, facing debilitating illness, social isolation and sadly, in most cases, certain death within years,” says Dr Meg Doherty, Director of WHO Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes.

Although advances in science have made symptom management possible, and led to treatments like antiretroviral therapy (ART) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), an HIV vaccine is still not available. World AIDS Vaccine Day, also known as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, is an opportunity to drive greater support for the development of an AIDS vaccine.

“HIV does not make people dangerous to know, so you can shake their hands and give them a hug: Heaven knows they need it.” – Princess Diana

“I’m a firm believer that education is the most efficient tool we have to make people aware and make our children aware and to protect them from the scourge of the century, which is AIDS.” – Shakira

“The global HIV/AIDS epidemic is an unprecedented crisis that requires an unprecedented response. In particular it requires solidarity -- between the healthy and the sick, between rich and poor, and above all, between richer and poorer nations. We have 30 million orphans already. How many more do we have to get, to wake up?” – Kofi Annan

“I have learned more about love, selflessness and human understanding from the people I have met in this great adventure in the world of AIDS than I ever did in the cutthroat, competitive world in which I spent my life.” – Anthony Perkins