Introduction – World AIDS Vaccine Day is also called as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is celebrated on May 18 every year to highlight the urgent need for a vaccine that might prevent. This international day honors scientists, community members, health professionals, and volunteers that are helping to develop an AIDS or HIV vaccine. The main purpose of this day is to spread awareness about the importance of HIV or AIDS vaccines that are used to prevent HIV and AIDS.

History – Former United States President, Bill Clinton’s speech about the HIV or AIDS vaccine that provides the idea to celebrate this international Day at the Morgan State University, Maryland on May 18, 1997.  He requested to the whole world for developing an AIDS vaccine within 10 years through effective use of technology and science. Thus, World AIDS Vaccine Day is observed on May 18 annually to mark the anniversary of Clinton’s speech. So, people celebrated the first anniversary of former US President Bill Clinton which became the first HIV Vaccine Awareness Day or World AIDS Vaccine Day on May 18, 1998. 

Significance – HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Viruses) may gradually weaken the immune system that causes life-threatening complications such as AIDS. This international day is dedicated for highlighting the ongoing urgent need for an HIV vaccine. It also acknowledges the insurmountable work by scientists, doctors, and health care professionals on HIV or AIDS across the world. World AIDS Vaccine Day is also marked for educating communities about the importance of the HIV vaccine to prevent this life-threatening disease.

HIV is one of the viruses that attack cells that help the body to fight infectious diseases and make an individual more weak or vulnerable to other infectious several diseases. It is also a transmissible disease that can be contracted via unprotected sex with any person, sharing needles, and body fluids. HIV can also be transmitted to a baby from the mother during childbirth, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. If any person is not treated an HIV, then it may cause AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). It is important to note that AIDS is the last or final stage of HIV infection which occurs when the immune system of the body may get damaged due to this virus.