Every fall during Mobilize to Immunize, Shot@Life advocates from across the nation raise their voices to help increase vaccine access for children and people around the world around key moments like World Polio Day (Oct. 24) and World Pneumonia Day (Nov. 12). As Congress works to finalize the 2024 budget, 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.

This page includes a toolkit of all the ways you can get involved. You can also view videos recapping the actions below on YouTube here. Please report any advocacy actions you take by filling out this form: shotatlife.org/report

Take a few minutes to ask Congress to fully fund global immunization programs in the Fiscal Year 2024. 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.

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. 

Sharing that you care about global immunization efforts and why is a great way to spread the word to your network and your lawmaker. 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).   

Calling your legislators is a quick and easy way to advocate for global childhood immunizations directly. To make the biggest impact, dial 202-902-6614 on our Call-In Day on Tuesday, October 24 on World Polio Day when Shot@Life advocates across the country will also be calling their representatives. Using this number helps Shot@Life track our outreach efforts.

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

Help spread the word about Mobilize to Immunize, World Polio Day, and World Pneumonia Day 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. 

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