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Comic and Manga Contest (Lima, Peru)
A Peruvian artist imagines a future world when an HIV vaccine is available. "La última de Jaimito" by César Hernán Chávez Dios won first place in a comic and manga contest held by our HIV Vaccine Trials Unit in Lima, Peru to commemorate HIV Vaccine Awareness Day. Second and third place comics can be viewed on the Impacta Peru website.

Rest your mouse over each dialog bubble for an English translation.

Jamie's mischief Come on, Kiddo, relax. Again, Mommy? Look over here, Kiddo. Oooouch!!! Calm down, Jamie. It will take just a few seconds. See it was only a little pinch...didn't hurt you a bit, right?…and here is your reward. Hurt me?! Gimme that candy, Lady! Did you see me in there, Mommy? (Sniff!) She stuck me with that huuuge needle (sniff) and I didn't even cry. Yes! I'm very proud of you. But remember, you promised me a Mega Power Turbo Space Super Action Figure. (Damn, me and my big mouth) You wouldn't want an ice cream? Yeah, great! Later... Mommy, can you explain what that vaccine I just got was if I already had all of them?
No, you didn't have all of them before. In fact, you were missing perhaps the most important vaccine of all: an HIV vaccine. VIP? No, Sweetie. HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It's the virus that causes AIDS. Really? Yes, AIDS is a disease that destroys the body's defenses. Little by little, it makes your body weaker and makes you more vulnerable to other diseases. Oh, is it curable with cough syrup and pills? No, Honey. AIDS can be fatal. FA-FATAL? Does that mean if I get it I am going to…? Jamie, AIDS can be fatal...but you don't have to worry… Do you remember the vaccine you received this morning? Ugh! How could I forget?
Well, that last vaccine was to prevent HIV/AIDS. So now, you are protected against AIDS. Seriously? Yes, and now, it is required that all people 5 and older receive an HIV vaccine. So, you and Daddy already… Absolutely. In fact, we were protected against HIV/AIDS long before you were born. It's so cool that a vaccine exists! Yes! Before the vaccine, many millions of people died all over the world because of this horrible disease. However, after many years of intense experiments with more positive results after each trial, an HIV vaccine was finally discovered HIV vaccine Eureka! Actually, your father and I were volunteers to help out in this research. You and Daddy? Wow, that's awesome! Yes, we're very proud of our contribution to this vaccine that saves millions of lives And are those scientists now looking for a cure for AIDS? That's right, little guy. I'm sure the wait won't be much longer. Wow... So are you still going to buy me that Mega Power Turbo Space Super Action Figure? Huh? Oh, that...hehe...I thought you had forgotten about it… The End

English translation by César Bazan and Seth Greenberg.