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May 16, 2003

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Many Americans Think an HIV/AIDS Vaccine Already Exists"

NIH News Release (www.nih.gov) (05/15/03)

Preliminary findings from a new survey conducted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) indicate that many Americans incorrectly believe that there is already a preventative vaccine against HIV/AIDS.  In all, 3,500 people were surveyed, and the results show that 48 percent of the African Americans questioned and 28 percent of the Hispanics believe that an HIV vaccine has already been developed but that it is being concealed.  One-fifth of adults in the overall population voiced that concern as well.  The study results indicated strong support for HIV vaccine research; however, nearly one-third of those surveyed incorrectly said that the HIV vaccines being studied in clinical tests can cause HIV infection, while 44 percent were not certain.  The Sixth Annual HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is on Sunday, May 18, and in observance of that day, communities around the world have planned activities to increase the public's awareness about HIV vaccines.