Introduction – World AIDS Vaccine Day also called as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is celebrated every year on May 18 worldwide to mark or honor the continuing battle against HIV/AIDS and the importance or urgent need  of developing a vaccine against AIDS and saves millions of lives worldwide.. This International Day honors health professionals, volunteers, scientists, doctors, and community members who are working and developing vaccines against HIV or AIDS to save millions of lives worldwide.

The main goal of this global day is to spread awareness about the significance of HIV or AIDS vaccines that help in treating or preventing HIV and AIDS. This International Day honors the speech by Former US President, Bill Clinton at Morgan State University on May 18, 1997, which emphasizes the importance of HIV or AIDS vaccines worldwide. This international day allows individuals to share the importance of the HIV vaccine to prevent this life-threatening worldwide.

HIV – It stands for Human immunodeficiency virus infection, which is mainly spread by unprotected sex or sex without a condom or hypodermic needles, contaminated blood transfusions, and from mother to child at the time of pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. It is also called as STI (Sexually Transmitted Disease). It attacks the immune system of the human body which plays an important role in fighting against infectious diseases. HIV also spreads through vaginal secretions, semen, and breast milk with symptoms of chills, fever, muscle pain, sweating, joint pain red rashes, and many more. The last or the advanced stage of HIV is called as AIDS.

AIDS – It stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and is caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) which weakens the immunity of a person thus the human body is less able or unable to fight infectious diseases. If HIV is not treated then it becomes life-threatening and leads to the dangerous disease AIDS. AIDS virus damages the immunity of the human body and is unable to fight against infections and diseases.

History – Former United States President, Bill Clinton’s speech about the HIV or AIDS vaccine provided the idea to celebrate this international Day at Morgan State University, Maryland on May 18, 1997.  He requested the whole world to develop an AIDS vaccine within 10 years through the 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 and causes life-threatening complications such as AIDS. This international day is dedicated to highlight the ongoing urgent need for an HIV vaccine. It also acknowledges the insurmountable work by scientists, doctors, and healthcare 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 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.