HIV Vaccines

Everyone’s heard the saying “Six degrees of separation.” While it’s intended use was never the topic of HIV/AIDS, this saying certainly applies to the spread of this deadly virus.

Most of us are in some way touched by AIDS – whether it’s a family member, friend, or just an acquaintance from around the way – everyone knows someone who is infected or affected by this lethal disease. HIV/AIDS has quickly infiltrated our communities infecting almost 40 million people worldwide, 2.5 million of whom are under the age of 15. In the United States, 40,000 people contract HIV each year. Half of these new infections occur among young people under the age of 25. The majority of those young people are African American or Latino. In fact, young people in the black community are becoming infected with HIV at alarming rates. That’s why it’s so important for everyone to share in helping to find a cure for this deadly disease.

Now, it’s easy to argue for hours about whether Magic Johnson is cured of AIDS, but the unfortunate truth is that he is still infected with HIV and currently there is no cure. However, in the 20 years since the virus was first “discovered,” incredible strides have been made toward the development of an HIV vaccine – a drug to prevent the spread of HIV and save millions of lives. But in order to continue making progress in the search for a vaccine, it’s important that everyone does their part in helping to stop this deadly disease.

December 1st marked World AIDS Day, the international day of action for HIV/AIDS. On this day thousands of people made it there business to raise awareness and get educated about what scientists, doctors, and ordinary people are doing to find ways to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. Included in this comprehensive approach to ending the pandemic is an effort to educate more Americans about HIV vaccine research, our BEST hope to ending the AIDS pandemic. The populations most effected by HIV/AIDS, communities of color, women, men who have sex with men and young people, currently have the fewest number of volunteers for HIV vaccine clinical studies. These people are greatly needed to insure diversity within the clinical studies. Without diversity among trial participants, a vaccine, when discovered, could be less than effective among those most in need. Equal participation by all Americans is the only way to insure a vaccine that is safe and effective for everyone.

Community support is essential in continuing to break down stigma and myths about HIV/AIDS and vaccine research. This includes the myth that you can get HIV from volunteering in a clinical trial. THIS IS FALSE. There is no way of becoming HIV positive by participating in a study. Developing an effective HIV vaccine depends upon individuals and communities educating and supporting each other.

If you are interested in learning more about HIV vaccine research, please visit http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/hivvaccine.htm and check out the information available.

If you are interested in volunteering for an HIV vaccine clinical trial, call 1-800-448-0440, or visit http://aidsinfo.nih.gov to learn more.

>> For more information about HIV Vaccine, please visit our feature from last month