HIV Vaccine Awareness Day

May 18th is recognized as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (HVAD), and this year it is a time of deep reflection and potential. Three major HIV vaccine trials have ended in no efficacy since 2020, but the field knows more than ever that a vaccine is still needed for a durable and sustainable end to the pandemic—and has new insights into possible vaccine strategies that might one day effectively protect against HIV.

This year, AVAC and CASPR partners cast a spotlight on the many issues and opportunities for HVAD 2023. Check it all out below and read on for details about a wide range of new resources!

New PxPulse Podcast Episode!

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Listen to the newest PxPulse podcast, “Evolving Strategies for an HIV Vaccine: One researcher explains where the field is going and why,” featuring Katy Stephenson of Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research. In conversation with AVAC’s Jeanne Baron, Katy provides an accessible breakdown of where the field of HIV vaccine research is, including details on recent trial results that proved ineffective and what’s next (and exciting) in HIV vaccine advocacy and research.

Two HVAD Webinars (Recordings and Slides Below)!

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What’s All the Buzz About: mRNA, manufacturing, vaccine access

Thursday, June 1
Featuring Caryn Fenner of Afrigen Biologics, Ike James of Medicines Patent Pool, and Mike Frick of Treatment Action Group.

Recording / Caryn Fenner Slides / Mike Frick Slides / Ike James Slides

To bNAb or not to bNAb? The case for broadly neutralizing antibodies

Wednesday, June 7
Featuring Slim Abdool Karim of CAPRISA, Pervin Anklesaria of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Khadija Richards of Wits RHI, and Huub Gelderblom of HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN).

Recording / Slim Karim Slides / Pervin Anklesaria Slides / Khadija Richards Slides / Huub Gelderblom Slides

CASPR Partner and Collaborator HVAD Events

Communities across the globe engaged in a wide array of events focused on HIV vaccine awareness. Below are details on activities the Coalition to Accelerate & Support Prevention Research (CASPR) partners led.

New Series of Advocate Briefs

In the weeks to come, we’ll release From the Lab to the Jab, a series of briefs on next generation vaccine research and development; the basics of mRNA technology; initiatives that support local manufacturing; and understanding and overcoming barriers that undermine equitable access to vaccines. Each brief also highlights the advocacy needed to keep these efforts on track and in line with what communities need and want.

New Resources

AVAC has updated our recent HIV vaccine primers. And we’re sharing a viewpoint written in the Journal of the International AIDS Society.

As the science continues to advance, we hope these resources inform our collective advocacy. With the knowledgeable voices of advocates guiding the response, scientific successes will not be squandered, communities won’t be left behind, programs will be people-centered, and epidemics will end.