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ADVOCACY RESOURCES

Every spring during Advocate to Vaccinate, Shot@Life advocates from across the nation raise their voices to help increase vaccine access for children and people around the world, beginning on March 20 and culminating with World Immunization Week (April 24-30.) Building on the momentum of our meetings in Capitol Hill, advocates from all 50 states will rally together to encourage policymakers to fund investments in global vaccine programs in the U.S. budget and raise awareness around the importance of vaccine equity.

Get involved:

To add to your skills and knowledge about advocacy, congressional processes, and writing letters to the editor this spring, we are introducing virtual advocacy workshops for the first time!

  • Join us on April 3 at 12:30 pm EDT to hear from Brian Massa about where we’re at in the appropriations process and Rebecca Maxie about how to incorporate other global health issues into your meetings. Sign up here.
  • And on April 9 at 11:30 am EDT, join us to learn about crafting your story, then work on your own letter to the editor. Sign up here.

Join a Virtual Workshop!

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Take a few minutes to ask Congress to fully fund global immunization programs in the coming fiscal year. The easiest way to send an email to your elected officials is by signing our petition, which automatically sends emails to your members of Congress. The petition has a default message, but we encourage you to personalize it.    

As the pandemic has demonstrated with devastating results, now is a critical moment to protect the progress made through global immunization programs.

Let Congress know you support vaccines for all.

Sign Petition

Meeting with your congressional offices is the highest-impact advocacy action that you can take all year. Whether you are a seasoned Shot@Life advocate or this will be your first time setting up meetings, we are here to support you throughout the process — including scheduling, preparing for, and holding your meetings.  

Meetings can take some time to schedule, so please request them ASAP (if you don’t have a contact in your in-district office already, find out more about how to request meetings here).  

Note: Feel free to email us at champions@shotatlife.org with any questions, and don’t forget to report your actions at shotatlife.org/report

View meeting materials including talking points, leave-behinds for your office, and more.

Click here

Sharing that you care about global immunization efforts and why is a great way to spread the word to your network and your lawmakers. One of the best ways to do that is to get published! Options include writing a letter or submitting an op-ed to your local newspaper, sharing a short piece in your club’s local or state newsletter, or including a brief article or mention in any kind of professional publication. 

Published Examples: 

We can help you find a publication, brainstorm ideas, serve as another set of eyes to proofreading, and answer any questions you have. You can view our instructional YouTube video or see past letters to the editors (LTEs).   

Please contact the communications team at media@shotatlife.org if you have any questions.

View Publication Resources

Help spread the word about Advocate to Vaccinate and World Immunization Week with your social networks USING OUR TOOLKIT.

If you aren’t already, be sure to follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram at @shotatlife and Facebook at @shotatlifecampaign. 

Check out our social media toolkit to help spread awareness online.

Advocate to Vaccinate Toolkit

Calling your legislators is a quick and easy way to advocate for global childhood immunizations directly. To make the biggest impact, call your representatives on our Call-In Day on Wednesday, April 24 during World Immunization Week, when Shot@Life advocates across the country will also be calling their members of Congress. Check back for our patch-through number closer to Call-In Day – using this number helps Shot@Life track our outreach efforts.

Ask to be connected to your two senators and House representatives on Capitol Hill! If you don’t know who your House representative is, you can look it up here.

If you aren’t able to join us on call-in day, you can call any time using the linked resources as a guide. 

View Call Resources

More on Vaccine Advocacy

Before you advocate, it’s important to be informed about global health and the congressional budget process. Read more about vaccine-preventable diseases here, and check out these resources to make sure you’re up to date.

A Year in Vaccines
January 2024

Looking Ahead: Immunization in 2024

2023 was a transformative year for global immunization, and paved the way for more progress in 2024. From novel vaccines being developed and distributed, to nationwide vaccine campaigns already underway, to pledges for routine immunization programs, we enter 2024 with ongoing determination to give everyone a shot at life.

Launch of malaria vaccines in Cameroon
January 2024

Cameroon Begins Malaria Vaccine Rollout 

Cameroon just became the first country to begin routine immunizations against malaria, with more to follow throughout 2024.

Become a Shot@Life Champion

Are you ready to increase your commitment to fight for global vaccine equity? Sign up for an advocacy training and become a Shot@Life Champion!

Join Us