May 11, 2007
EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE AIDS VACCINE BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK
 |
How to stop HIV continues to elude scientists. |
1987: First U.S. government trial is held of a vaccine candidate in HIV-negative volunteers
1997: President Clinton announces goal of finding a vaccine in 10 years
2007: Merck and the HIV Vaccine Trials Network launch a second "test of concept" study for Merck's adenovirus-based vaccine candidate in South Africa
HIV Vaccine Awareness Day might not seem like the sexiest concept, but the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition (AVAC) is commemorating this worldwide event — taking place on May 18 — with a smart idea: It was exactly 10 years ago that President Clinton made a speech calling for an AIDS vaccine in 10 years time. Since we've arrived at that date (with no vaccine in hand), AVAC has put together a sobering but hopeful history of AIDS of vaccine research linked to key quotes from Clinton's speech called "The Countdown Continues."
The document confronts painful realties, noting, for example that it is "shamefully clear: public health systems in developing and developed nations have failed vulnerable, poor and marginalized communities around the world when it comes to AIDS and many other chronic illnesses." But it also pays tribute to the 25,000 "heroes" who have volunteered for vax studies and points out that funds for vaccine research have skyrocketed since Clinton's call.
Check out "The Countdown Continues" (If you would like printed copies, email avac@avac.org with your contact information and the number of copies you need.) And let AVAC know if you're planning any HIV Vaccine Awareness Day events. You can e-mail advocatesnetworkevents@avac.org with details and AVAC will add them to the Advocates' Network Calendar. Click here to see what events are already planned.