World AIDS Vaccine Day or HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is observed on May 18 to create awareness about the HIV vaccine, immunisation benefits, and other details related to the vaccination. This awareness is important for prevention of the HIV infection.
This day is also a celebration of the consistent contribution of healthcare professionals and support staff who have been a part of vaccine research.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there were an estimated 39 million HIV-positive people, of which 1.5 million were children (between 0-14 years) by the end of 2022.
In the same year, 6,30,000 people across the world died due to HIV-related causes.
Here is all you need to know about this day:
World AIDS Vaccine Day 2024: Date
This day is observed on May 18 to spread awareness about the significance of HIV vaccination and prevention of HIV and AIDS infection.
World AIDS Vaccine Day 2024: History
In a speech at Morgan State University in Maryland on May 18, 1997, then-US President Bill Clinton said, "Only a truly effective, preventive HIV vaccine can limit and eventually eliminate the threat of AIDS."
The declaration of May 18 as World AIDS Vaccine Day is in honour of Clinton's speech that underlined the urgent need for an effective vaccine. World Aids Vaccine Day was observed for the first time in 1998.
World AIDS Vaccine Day 2024: Significance
This day is significant to create awareness about the prevention of HIV and AIDS. Awareness campaigns are held to educate people about the initiatives of governments and NGOs and to draw attention towards the need for a preventive HIV vaccine.
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