HIV Vaccine: A Shot of Hope

An HIV vaccine could prevent HIV transmission and stop the spread of AIDS. "It's a natural partnership," said Keri Adams, vice president of community affairs for PPMET.

"We all know that Planned Parenthood is about prevention, but we also are about solutions and partnerships. Participating in this program can help us be a part of changing the world."

PPMET was awarded a grant to educate the public, specifically minority women, about HIV vaccine trials.  It is not involved in recruiting volunteers for the trials; that is HVTU's role. The sole purpose of PPMET's grant is to educate the public and to raise awareness of the program.

PPMET is using the grant money to get three important messages out about the HIV vaccine:

• There is no vaccine available now that prevents HIV.
• Volunteers for the trials must be HIV free.
• You cannot get HIV from participating in the trials.

Women and HIV

"Prior grant recipients have primarily been organizations that do the important work of providing services to the gay community," said Adams.

But around the world, of the nearly five million new HIV infections each year, most are transmitted through male-female sexual contact.

In the U.S., women and children represent the fastest growing segment of the HIV population, and minority women make up the majority (78 percent) of all new HIV infections in women.

Josh Barnes, community educator for Vanderbilt's HVTU program, says, "It has become clear that where women are denied the social, cultural, and political rights to determine their own choices concerning their health care and their bodies, HIV/AIDS is raging. Not only do we need to work on ensuring women access to these rights, but as researchers we need to be sure that we are including women in the vaccine trials. Women must be involved — it is crucial to finding the vaccine that will work for everyone, everywhere. In order to achieve that aim, it's imperative that we partner with organizations like Planned Parenthood that serve women."

"The HIV vaccine program provides a shot of hope" said Adams. "This is a global epidemic. As individuals and as a community we can have a role in eradicating this deadly disease, not only for our clients, but for the world."

May 18 is HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (HVAD). HVAD organizers are asking people to show support for HIV vaccine research by wearing a red AIDS ribbon upside down on May 18. The upside-down AIDS ribbon forms a "V", for vaccines, and symbolizes a vision of the world without AIDS.  For more information about the HIV vaccine, visit bethegeneration.com.