Advocate to Vaccinate 2025 Roundup
In the midst of a rapidly changing global health landscape, we have reached the end of another successful Advocate to Vaccinate. Over the last six weeks, Shot@Life Champions mobilized in all 50 states to advocate for lifesaving global immunization programs to their policymakers.
Vaccines: The Best Investment to Save Lives
Investing in vaccine programs creates immeasurable returns—from economic prosperity to decreased mortality rates. In this blog, Wajiha Mekki delves into immunization's return on investment and the advocacy efforts needed to get there.
The Power of Collaboration: World Immunization Week 2025
Today kicks off World Immunization Week, a reminder of our progress and the road ahead in global immunization.
Overcoming the Overlooked: The Role of Nomadic Communities in Polio Eradication
Despite global progress against polio, challenges remain, especially in reaching Afghanistan’s Kuchi (Kochi) nomads, a historically underserved population.
Shot@Life Campaign Urges Congress to Continue Funding Lifesaving Global Vaccination Programs
Shot@Life Senior Director Cara Ciullo released the following statement on the proposed withdrawal of U.S. support for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

Cornell Represents On the Hill to Advocate for Vaccine Access
Cornell Champions' advocacy with Shot@Life highlighted on the Weill Cornell website.
Lobbying on Capitol Hill Taught Me the Power of Showing Up
In the middle of midterm exams, College Ambassador Rani Chor came to D.C. to advocate for global immunization programs with Shot@Life. Here's her perspective on why advocacy is more important than ever.

Measles vaccinations promote herd immunity and save taxpayer dollars
Shot@Life Champion Janice Hawkins' Letter to the Editor during Advocate to Vaccinate.
From Childhood to Motherhood: Gender Equity and Immunization
Women face significant barriers to healthcare while simultaneously making up the backbone of the global health workforce. But there is a solution: empowering women through equitable vaccine access can be a catalyst for change in both global health and gender equality.

Vaccines save lives
Shot@Life Champion Janice Hawkins' Letter to the Editor during Advocate to Vaccinate.
I was a refugee. Today, I am an advocate.
Growing up in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Shot@Life Champion Michael-Olivier Lungu experienced firsthand the dangers of infectious diseases and the need for global health programs to keep kids safe. Here is his advocacy story.
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Polio paralyzed dozens in Madagascar from 2020 to 2023, but nationwide vaccination campaigns led by the government and global health partners paid off; the outbreak was officially declared over in May of this year.
For over 30 years, the U.S. was a major health donor in Madagascar. Today, programs that once supported 20,000+ health workers are gone—and with them, critical systems for disease surveillance, data, and vaccine outreach.
The fight against polio is anything but easy. And hard-won gains are fragile; now is not the time to turn our backs on global health.
Read the full story at the link in our bio.
Oct 16

Good news alert!
In 2024, Gavi-supported vaccination programs saved 1.7 million lives—the highest ever in a single year.
From rapid malaria vaccine rollouts to $20 billion in economic returns, this was a historic year for global immunization, and a testament to the power of partnership, innovation and local leadership.
Check out @gavialliance’s full annual progress report: www.gavi.org/progress-report
Oct 15

Even in the face of a government shutdown, our advocacy efforts continue.
Congress is continuing discussions around funding levels for the coming Fiscal Year, including for global immunization programs, so it remains crucial that they hear from you, our stellar advocates.
Now is the time to act. Fill out our latest petition using at shotatlife.org/petition, and reach out to champions@shotatlife.org if you’re interested in scheduling a meeting with your congressional offices.
Stay tuned for more updates on #MobilizetoImmunize.
Oct 14

Vaccinations have saved 17 million lives between 2021 and 2024 alone.
Last week, the World Health Organization’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization convened to assess the globe’s commitment to immunization.
And despite the roadblocks that persist—primarily geopolitical instability and shifting health architectures—there is hope in the fact that a vast majority of parents are strongly supportive of vaccines.
Oct 8

This year’s UN General Assembly felt a little different than year’s past; annual conversations about global health were underpinned by continued uncertainty. But even in the face of these challenges, progress was made in addressing some of the world’s most pressing issues.
From the spotlight on noncommunicable diseases to the push for sustaining our progress against polio, global health was of utmost importance at #UNGA80.
Keep reading in our latest blog. #Linkinbio
Oct 3

Hospitals in Bangladesh are overwhelmed as dengue and chikungunya cases surge. 33,800 dengue cases alone this year, paired with the first surge in chikungunya since 2017, are a dual threat pushing health systems to the brink.
🦟 Both diseases are spread by the same mosquitoes and share similar symptoms, but treatments are very different. Misdiagnosis can be deadly.
Experts warn that overlapping outbreaks are generally becoming more frequent, driven by climate change, urbanization, and global travel.
Better surveillance, vaccines against dengue, and year-round mosquito control are crucial to tackle this growing crisis.
Oct 2

For nearly a decade, Rwanda had recorded steady declines in malaria.
But these gains are now under threat: in 2024 alone, malaria cases in Rwanda rose by more than 45%.
While Rwanda had previously opted out of receiving malaria vaccines during WHO`s and Gavi`s first distribution phase in 2023, health experts are now reconsidering—immunization could be key to bringing case counts back down.
Sep 30

We are SO back!
A warm welcome (back) to the recurring students in this year’s United to Beat Malaria and Shot@Life combined College Ambassador Program.
Swipe to learn more about Rani, Rutendo, Wajiha, Amy, Ameena, Ava, and Srihitha—all stellar advocates with a background in malaria, immunization, or broader global health.
Keep an eye out this year for content with all of our lovely ambassadors. 🌎🎓
Sep 26

It’s that time of the year again.
New back-to-school season = new College Ambassadors!
We are so excited to introduce the 2025-26 cohort of Global Health Advocacy College Ambassadors. Keep scrolling to learn a bit more about Rebecca, Simon, Mahabuba, and Yashaswi!
And stay tuned tomorrow for some familiar faces. 👀
NOTE that Rebecca’s last name is Fekru, not Fukru! We deeply apologize for the misspelling.
Sep 25

Pakistan has just received a 13 million-dose supply of the cervical cancer vaccine for its first EVER nationwide immunization drive against HPV, thanks to partners like Gavi and UNICEF.
Now, starting this week, 13 million girls across Pakistan will receive a dose of the HPV vaccine, protecting them from cervical cancer, which still takes the life of one woman every two minutes.
While executing the immunization drive will be no easy feat, Pakistan is now joining more than 150 countries that have included the WHO-prequalified vaccine in their Immunization schedules, safeguarding the health of future generations.
Sep 23

That’s a wrap on our 2025 virtual Summit!
In an increasingly challenging global health environment, it is crucial that we adapt to meet the moment. Thank you to our ever-inspiring Champions for your work to do so.
The time for action is NOW. Let’s #MobilizeToImmunize 💪
Sep 18

Just over a week ago, the World Health Organization declared that mpox is no longer classified as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). While global cases have declined since the PHEIC was first declared in 2024, ongoing outbreaks across Africa suggest the crisis is far from over.
But after a year of rapid response efforts, Africa is not fighting unprepared.
Read more in our latest blog. #linkinbio
Sep 15

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!
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