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Make Noise with Shot@Life for World Immunization Week
April 20, 2012 BY Devi R. Thomas
Listen to that. Can you hear it? It's the sound of a mayor's proclamation, television sets turning on for the world news, busses whizzing by billboards and bus stops, thousands of American voices in synchronized messages, and millions of clicking computer keys. More importantly, it's the sound of celebrating mothers, proud fathers and laughing (and crying) babies!
That's right – the first-ever World Immunization Week is here and our tick-tock has culminated in a cacophony of thoughtful and mobilizing music. Here is a small taste of what is happening around the country and the world this week:
Our partners are hard at work on vaccination campaigns in Latin America (Pan American Health Organization) and country-officers of the World Health Organization are planning nationwide and regional campaigns in places including Africa and Asia. Millions of children will be vaccinated and immunized by the end of next week through efforts like the Lions Club International (in Mali, Madagascar and Ethiopia) where their radio and TV messages will reach out to thousands of parents and children.
The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI Alliance) is spearheading a first-ever effort to jointly roll-out the rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccine in Ghana. This is a critical move as diarrhea and pneumonia are two of the leading killers of children and this simultaneous introduction has the potential to save many lives.
Closer to home, Shot@Life will be:
Painting: We are painting 19 cities green, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, DC, Seattle, and more. Shot@Life will be championing global vaccines through billboards, bus signs and digital boards across America.
Spreading: Shot@Life will be in the New York Times Magazine, Yahoo.com, BabyCenter, Parenting Magazine, Real Simple Magazine, Atlanta Journal-Constitutional and heard on NPR nationally.
Proclaiming: The Mayor of Louisville is declaring April 26th Shot@Life day in Louisville, KY
Gathering: We have events happening online every day this week! For just a few minutes each day, participants can join in and share Shot@Life with their friends. Offline, we are in Atlanta, Georgia, at our national launch on April 26th with speakers like Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and world-renowned photographer Anne Geddes. We are also joined by over 600 moms and kids at the Georgia Aquarium to celebrate and learn more about global vaccines.
Partying: 30 champions around the country are hosting Shot@Life parties and events. Tracey Clark is hosting a “Bring Your Own Mug” coffee klatch to draw attention to the fact that the cost of a week’s worth of coffee could protect a child against four deadly diseases. Portia Mount is hosting “Parents’ Night Out” to tell her friends about this issue and encourage them to take action
Do you want to be part of all this noise? (Say yes!) Read yesterday’s blog post to find out how you can be a part of the noise without even leaving your computer!
P.S. Look at all the Shot@Life launch events happening across the country next week!
POSTED IN: Events, Global Health
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