IAS Vaccine and Cure Advocacy Fellow, Adaobi Lisa Olisa, is an HIV prevention advocate advancing youth engagement and gender-transformative policies. As a Technical Officer at FHI 360, she led Knowledge Management, Research Utilization and MEL under MOSAIC in Nigeria. In 2024, she facilitated youth inclusion in Nigeria’s PrEP TWG and supported PrEP choice expansion through key policy updates. This is her story ...
When I first encountered discussions on HIV vaccines, I felt completely lost – like I had stepped into a conversation meant for scientists, not young advocates like me. That changed when I joined the IAS HIV Vaccine Advocacy Academy in December 2024. As someone deeply passionate about the rapidly expanding HIV prevention landscape, I left with a clear understanding of why an HIV vaccine is critical and how young people can drive the conversation forward. Now, I want to ensure that more young advocates see their place in this movement.
An HIV vaccine could provide long-lasting protection and reach people who might never seek PrEP or other prevention options.
Why an HIV vaccine matters
Despite incredible progress in HIV prevention and treatment, 1.3 million new HIV acquisitions occurred in 2023 worldwide. While PrEP is a game changer, it is not a vaccine. Stigma, adherence challenges and limited access still leave too many exposed to a high likelihood of acquiring HIV. An HIV vaccine could provide long-lasting protection and reach people who might never seek PrEP or other prevention options. Additionally, vaccines are the most effective means of preventing infectious diseases. For example, through vaccination, smallpox has been eradicated worldwide, and polio has been eliminated in some countries.
A vaccine wouldn’t replace existing prevention methods but would expand choice, ensuring that prevention works for everyone, not just those who can consistently take PrEP. Young people in Africa remain disproportionately affected by HIV, and we must be at the forefront of demanding and shaping prevention options that work for us.
The science, simplified
Scientists are working on promising strategies, including but not limited to:
- mRNA vaccines which train the immune system using genetic instructions, allowing rapid development and testing. These vaccines work by delivering genetic material that instructs cells to produce harmless HIV-like proteins, prompting an immune response.
- Some people naturally produce powerful broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) that can block multiple strains of HIV. Scientists are studying how to induce these antibodies and also how to use them as a form of long-term HIV prevention. Unlike traditional vaccines, bNAbs could be given as injections every few months to provide sustained protection, offering an alternative to daily or periodic PrEP use.
Young people have the power
Advocacy isn’t just for policy makers – it starts with us. Young people have the power to:
- Raise awareness by making vaccine research understandable and accessible.
- Engage communities to foster trust, address misinformation and advocate for equitable access.
- Influence policies by pushing for sustained investment in HIV vaccine research.
Ensure ethical research by demanding that clinical trials reflect diverse voices, including youth perspectives.
If we want a future where HIV no longer defines our generation, we must act now – by learning, engaging and leading conversations on vaccine research and development.
The future is ours
Most recently, I was honoured to be selected for the Women’s Policy Action Lab, where I collaborated with other young leaders to address gender-related legislative gaps in Nigeria. This experience reinforced a vital lesson: meaningful change happens when young people step up.
The same applies to HIV vaccine advocacy. If we want a future where HIV no longer defines our generation, we must act now – by learning, engaging and leading conversations on vaccine research and development.
Are you ready to be part of the movement? Join the conversation. Advocate. Educate. Demand change. Because our voices matter.
Click here to learn more about HIV vaccine research and development. You can also explore the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise to get more updates and resources.