UAB’s Alabama Vaccine Research Clinic will host a health fair in recognition of HIV Vaccine Awareness Day. Free HIV screenings will be available and counselors will be on hand.

Posted on May 17, 2004 at 12:37 p.m.

     

WHAT:

 

UAB’s Alabama Vaccine Research Clinic will host a health fair in recognition of HIV Vaccine Awareness Day. Free HIV screenings will be available and counselors will be on hand. Again this year, residents are asked to commemorate the day by wearing a red AIDS ribbon turned upside down symbolizing a "V" for "vaccines." Ribbons will be given away at the health fair. HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is set aside each year to draw attention to the urgent need for a vaccine to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. The theme of this year’s national event is “Real People. Real Progress.”

     

WHEN:

 

Tuesday, May 18, 2004
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

     

WHERE:

 

UAB Mini-Park
1300 Block of University Boulevard
(Across from Campbell Hall)

     

MORE:

 

HIV Vaccine Awareness Day recognizes the thousands of volunteers, scientists and health professionals committed to finding a safe and effective vaccine. Since UAB’s vaccine clinic opened in 1994, it has enrolled more than 1,000 volunteers in numerous studies to test the safety and effectiveness of potential HIV and other vaccines.

Since the first case of AIDS was reported in Alabama in 1982, over 14,000 Alabamians have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Many others are infected but not yet diagnosed. Globally, nearly 5.3 million new infections occur each year, and most people do not have access to effective treatment. A vaccine is the best hope for controlling the global pandemic.

There is absolutely no chance of contracting HIV from a test vaccine and volunteers are reimbursed for their participation.

For more information, call James Mapson at (205) 934-6777 or by e-mail at jmapson@uab.edu.