HIV
AWARNESS DAY
HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is commemorated with an upside-down
AIDS Ribbon. The upside-down red AIDS ribbon brings attention
to HIV Vaccine Awareness Day and gives individuals a unique
way to show their personal awareness about HIV vaccine research.
The upside-down red AIDS ribbon forms a “V,” for
“vaccines,” the vision of a world without AIDS
and symbolizes the urgent need to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.
By encouraging people to wear their red AIDS ribbon upside
down on May 18, we are recognizing the value of HIV vaccine
research, the commitment to find vaccines that work and the
advances that are being made.
· Generate widespread observance of HIV Vaccine Awareness
Day to raise awareness, understanding and support of HIV vaccine
research, especially among target audiences.
· Recognize and support volunteers, researchers and
others, who support this effort.
· The AIDS crisis is not over; HIV preventive vaccines
are the best hope to stop the global pandemic.
· Currently, there is no HIV vaccine available.
· You can help by becoming educated about HIV vaccines
and helping educate others.
· HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is an opportunity to thank
the thousands of volunteers and researchers who contribute
to the progress being made in finding an HIV vaccine every
day.
By raising awareness and encouraging study participation,
individuals and communities can contribute to the successful
development of HIV vaccines. Although over twelve thousand
people have already volunteered to take part in HIV vaccine
studies, many more will be needed. A large HIV vaccine trial
will require thousands more participants of all races/ethnicities,
genders and socioeconomic backgrounds to ensure that the vaccine
works in all populations.
Therefore, community support is essential in efforts to break
down stigma and myths about HIV vaccine research. Developing
an effective HIV vaccine depends upon individuals and communities
informing, educating and supporting others.
· Wear your red AIDS ribbon upside down and explain
why you are doing so when asked.
· Let others know you support HIV vaccine research.
· Educate others about the need for an HIV vaccine.
· Support vaccine trial volunteers and/or volunteer
yourself.
For more information on HIV Vaccine Awareness Day or HIV vaccine
research visit www.aidsinfo.nih.gov, www.vrc.nih.gov or www.hvtn.org
or call 800-HIV-0440 for a free brochure (available in English
and Spanish).
Between 1987 and 2003:
· There have been 38 preventive HIV vaccine candidates
studied in the United States and over 60 worldwide.
· More than 20 HIV vaccines are in various stages
of testing.
· More vaccines will be tested in the next two years
than in the last five years combined.
HIV Vaccine Trial Units in the United States
· Baltimore, MD
· Birmingham, AL
· Boston, MA
· Nashville, TN
· New York City, NY
· Providence, RI
· Rochester, NY
· San Francisco, CA
· Seattle, WA
· St. Louis, MO
· Washington, DC (Vaccine Research Center)
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NIAID is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH),
within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
NIAID supports basic and applied research to prevent, diagnose
and treat infectious and immune-mediated illnesses, including
HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, illness
from potential agents of bioterrorism, tuberculosis, malaria,
autoimmune disorders, asthma and allergies.
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Sources:
· Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, Basic HIV/AIDS Statistics, 2003.
· Joint United Nations Programme
on HIV/AIDS, AIDS Epidemic Update, 2003.
· Kaiser Family Foundation, AIDS
At 20: The HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the United States, 2001.
· NIAID/NIH/DHHS, Clinical Research
on HIV Vaccines, 2003.
The upside-down red AIDS ribbon symbolizes the work and advances
in HIV vaccine research and, most importantly, symbolizes
the urgent need to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS now.
The upside-down red AIDS ribbon brings attention to HIV Vaccine
Awareness Day and gives individuals a unique way to show their
personal awareness about HIV vaccine research. The upside-down
red AIDS ribbon forms a “V,” for “vaccines,”
the vision of a world without AIDS, and symbolizes the urgent
need to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Encouraging people in your community to participate in HIV
Vaccine Awareness Day by wearing their red AIDS ribbon upside
down reinforces the important messages surrounding this nationally
recognized day. The unusual display will likely draw notice
from colleagues and friends and create an opportunity for
individuals to share HIV Vaccine Awareness Day information.
These key messages and talking points can help you deliver
clear, consistent messages when speaking with the public.
Adding specific talking points relevant to your community
and including local statistics will make your communications
more attractive to the media and more informative to the public.
You can also adapt the talking points to target your statements
to the perspectives, problems and concerns of different audiences.
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