The origin of the World AIDS Vaccine Day is rooted in a speech delivered by former US President Bill Clinton on May 18, 1997, at the Morgan State University, Maryland. Clinton suggested that only a really effective, preventive HIV vaccine can contain and eradicate the fatal disease. He appealed to the world to develop an AIDS vaccine within the next decade by putting science and technology to optimum use.
In 1998, the first World AIDS Vaccine Day was observed for the first time to commemorate the first anniversary of Clinton’s speech. Every year communities around the world organize various activities on this day to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS vaccines, prevention and educate people. First identified in 1981, HIV is the cause of one of humanity’s deadliest and most persistent epidemics.
