HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (HVAD) is observed annually around the world on May 18th. The day serves as an annual commemoration of the need for and commitment to the ongoing search for a vaccine. There is no vaccine for HIV. As noted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, “HIV vaccine development has been challenging largely because of the unique characteristics of the virus.” There have been continuous efforts to develop an effective HIV vaccine since the late 1980s. The clinical RV144 vaccine trial conducted in Thailand in 2009 is arguably the most successful trial to date. Scientists combined two vaccines that failed on their own, which lowered the rate of HIV infection by 31 percent. Researchers are fervently making strides to create a vaccine for HIV. The number of new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths worldwide have decreased by more than one-third in the past decade which may be attributed to the tremendous advancement of HIV prevention and treatment.
Please check out the references highlighted below for more information.
Here are some titles that we have in the library
AHFS Drug Information 2015, American Society of Health System Pharmacists – note, if you find this text difficult to navigate check out Medline Plus and/or Daily Med.
AVAC.org
This day is especially important to the librarians.
easy-to-digest research updates.
This year brought the launch of long-awaited initiation of clinical trials building on positive results from the RV144 “Thai” trial. This effort is led by the Pox-Protein Public-Private Partnership (P5), including the the HIV Vaccine Trials Network, who will join the webinar to provide a status update of their current vaccine research and development program. We will also feature Janssen, part of Johnson & Johnson, to provide an overview of the research program they are moving forward that focuses on a cross-clade vaccine product.
This webinar will be the next installment in our Prevention on the Line series, a year-long dialogue on pressing issues in HIV prevention research and implementation.
For advocates planning HVAD activities or simply looking for an update on the latest in the field, AVAC is updating its “HVAD Toolkit”, which includes a range of materials with HIV vaccine research highlights. The updated Toolkit will be available shortly at www.avac.org/hvad. Please email us if you’re looking for a specific resource right away.
We look forward to commemorating another HVAD with all of you as we continue to work toward the ultimate goal of a vaccine to prevent HIV. AVAC would especially like to thank the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, the US Agency for International Development, and our civil society partners in countries for supporting and partnering in HVAD and other vaccine advocacy initiatives.
We look forward to hearing your voices and questions in this discussion. And, as always, please email us at avac@avac.org with questions, comments and suggestions.
Best, AVAC