World AIDS Vaccine Day - 18th May

by Samir Joshi | May 17, 2009 at 10:44 am
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World AIDS Vaccine Day

World AIDS Vaccine Day

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uploaded by Samir Joshi

We tend to celebrate every known international day with much delight and happiness. However, today is a day that we must sit and reflect upon. Reflect upon the challenges that lie ahead, analyze what has been done in the past and what can be done in the future. Yes, it is indeed a day that we all wish that would be marked as "The Successful AIDS Vaccine Discovery Day" rather than just "World AIDS Vaccine Day".

The history of this day goes back to May 18, 1997 when the-then president of United States, Mr Bill Clinton challenged the world to set new goals in the emerging age of science and technology and develop an AIDS vaccine within the next decade stating, “Only a truly effective, preventive HIV vaccine can limit and eventually eliminate the threat of AIDS.”

The first World AIDS Vaccine Day was observed on May 18, 1998 to commemorate the anniversary of Clinton’s speech, and the tradition continues today. Each year communities around the globe hold a variety of activities on World AIDS Vaccine Day to raise awareness for AIDS vaccines, educate communities about HIV prevention and research for an AIDS vaccine and bring attention to the ways in which ordinary people can be a part of the international effort to stem the pandemic.

This day is an opportunity to observe the urgent need for a vaccine that prevents HIV infection and AIDS. Since HIV and AIDS were identified more than 25 years ago, scientists have remained steadfast in their belief that a vaccine is possible. A vaccine is the best hope to stop the continuing spread of the epidemic.

Developing an AIDS vaccine isn't going to be easy. However, the fight must go on for the cause of humanity. Let us join hands and do our bit in making this fight a worthwhile effort from the humankind. Let us hope, wish and work hard towards an AIDS free future.

On behalf of all humankind, I challenge the virus! Mr HIV, your days are numbered!!!

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Rhonda J Mangus

Thank you very much for this story, SamirJ. I would appreciate it if you would add the tag 'sexuality' to it so it will also appear on NowPublic's Health/Human Sexuality channel. Thanks again!


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Samir Joshi

You're welcome Rhonda! Thanks for the response and the appreciation. I have done the needful. :)

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Rhonda J Mangus

You most certainly have done the needful, SamirJ! Thank you:)!

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huneds

Bringing on something infamous every time, as usual. Good.....

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Yuliya Talmazan

Thanks for posting, Samirj. Unfortunately, HIV is a tricky virus to create a vaccine for. It is mutating faster than scientists can track its mutations, but the with the recent advances in modern biological research, I am sure in a ten-years time, we will have the solution.

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Samir Joshi

Yeah, you're right. I sincerely hope that a cure or preventive measure is found surely rather than soon. It is crippling the world health as well as economy.

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Luke Slomka

good luck to the scientists who have got humanity this far in there battle with ths virus and lets hope they continue to make progress

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gerrypopplestone

Personally, I don't see what need there for a vaccine for a disease that is only spread through human endeavour (irresponsibility). Safe Sex is a fantastic prophylactic! There are far more important and far more easily spread viruses that do untold damage in the developing world. They need better resourcing.  There are also huge disp[arities in medical services in many poor countries where we have already poached their trained medical staffs.  Let's get a sensew of perspective and use money wisely.   Why can we sensible people not take proper responsibility for the way we connect with other humans and practise safe sex and decent needle exchange.  Then the only issue is mother/baby HIV transmission which these days can usually be tackled.

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Rhonda J Mangus
First Flagged at 11:02 AM, May 17, 2009 by Rhonda J Mangus
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