Addressing Disparities in HIV Vaccine Awareness in Low-Resource Settings: A Call to Action
Keywords:
Awareness, HIV, Low Resource Setting, VaccineAbstract
The global fight against HIV continues to depend not only on scientific breakthroughs but also on equitable dissemination of information, particularly in low-resource settings. While promising HIV vaccine candidates (e.g., mRNA-based platforms and long-acting injectable regimens) bring renewed optimism, awareness of these developments remains starkly uneven. This disparity risks exacerbating existing inequities in uptake and trust. Through a comprehensive literature review, this paper identifies structural, socio-cultural, and educational barriers to vaccine awareness; examines case studies illustrating successful community-led communication strategies; and underscores the ethical imperative of inclusive outreach. We recommend a multi-pronged approach: co-design of awareness campaigns with local stakeholders, integration of vaccine literacy into education and health systems, leveraging digital and mobile platforms, sustained community governance, and systematic monitoring. Ultimately, closing the awareness gap is not ancillary to scientific progress, it is foundational. Unless addressed explicitly and urgently, disparities in HIV vaccine awareness will undermine both ethics and efficacy in global health initiatives.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Abdullahi Hassan Elmi
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