While much of the focus on public health for the past two years has heavily focused on COVID-19 cases and vaccinations, Moderna has also been working something truly mind-blowing.

The reason this potential and currently experimental vaccine is so groundbreaking is due to the worlds decades long stigma with HIV and AIDS. Although the virus is no longer a death sentence as it was in the 1980’s and early 1990’s, there are many people today living with HIV. While current and modernized medical advances have made care for the virus much greater, it’s amazing to imagine a world where it no longer exists.

Originally referred to as “the gay cancer”, the AIDS virus certainly affected people of all cultural backgrounds but was a particularly harsh stigma amongst the LGBTQ+ community. There are new medications developed that can be taken for preventative pre-exposure which is also groundbreaking in itself. However, often time this medication can be quite expensive, as well as treatment for those living with HIV.

The Moderna vaccine would not only create a a world where the stigma is left behind, it would also create safety precautions for those unable to receive support for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis.

According to the US National Institute of Health Clinical Trials registry, Phase 1 of the trial will involve the experimental testing of vaccinating 56 HIV- adults aged 18-50.

In a time where health related news is often overwhelming, this is certainly a light at the end of a different tunnel. I will be reaching out to professionals related to the trials for further information and updates.