ShotAtLife

With the number of refugee and displaced people around the globe at an all-time high, action is needed now more than ever to ensure that everyone has a to life.

All children deserve to feel safe, healthy, and hopeful for the future, no matter who they are or where they live. Visit shotatlife.org/healthystart to make a difference in refugee children's lives today.

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance's 2026-2030 Investment Opportunity aims to reach all corners of the globe with lifesaving vaccines. Because diseases don't respect borders, Gavi is effectively protecting the entire world by helping countries prevent and respond to outbreaks. To learn more, check out the final installment of our blog series on Gavi 6.0 here: https://shotatlife.org/2024/07/23/gavi-global-health-security/

The civil war in Sudan has displaced more than 9 million people trying to survive amid rampant disease, hunger, and attacks on health services.

According to the International Rescue Committee, only 2% of this displaced population can access health care, with immunization rates staggeringly low. Mobile clinics are being set up throughout the country to address the disparity. Learn more about the refugee crisis and how you can help ensure at shotatlife.org/healthystart

Dengue virus cases have hit an all-time high in the Caribbean with a 300% increase compared to last year. Climate change, specifically the premature hurricane season, plays a role in the above-average transmission in the area.

Despite the notable increase in cases, fatality rates remain low thanks to the work of PAHO and other organizations. With new vaccines against dengue in the development pipeline, hope is high for even lower fatality rates and a decrease in cases overall. Learn more here: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/record-breaking-dengue-infection-persists-in-the-caribbean/

WHO and UNICEF just released their estimates of national immunization coverage, which report childhood immunization rates stagnating on average. The number of children receiving no vaccines increased from 13.9 million in 2022 to 14.5 million in 2023, with many living in fragile, conflicted-affected settings. Urgent action is needed to reach the most vulnerable children with lifesaving vaccines and ensure their health and futures are protected. To learn more about the latest immunization data, visit https://shotatlife.org/2024/07/18/new-data-shows-immunization-stagnating/

More than 47 million children around the world have been forcibly displaced. With limited access to basic health services, they are among the most vulnerable to preventable diseases, malnutrition, and even death.

Refugee children deserve better. Like all children, they deserve a to life. Learn more and take action today at shotatlife.org/healthystart.

This week, the R21 malaria vaccine will be introduced into South Sudan's and Cote d'Ivoire's routine immunization programs, marking a new milestone in malaria prevention.

These two countries join 8 others on the continent that have introduced the RTS,S malaria vaccine. A total of 15 African countries are expected to introduce malaria vaccines into their immunization programs this year.

Current plans aim to reach 6.6 million children with malaria vaccines in 2024 and 2025. Join the movement towards and a future free of malaria today at shotatlife.org.

Maternal RSV vaccinations allow mothers to protect both their babies and themselves from deadly lower respiratory tract infections. Last year, the CDC recommended that eligible pregnant people receive a single dose of the vaccine, and this recommendation has now been reinforced by data collected from clinical trials of those with pre-existing health conditions. Ensuring access to these vaccines is now crucial to ensure that everyone, everywhere has a shot at life.

There were 249 million malaria cases in 2022 compared to 244 million in 2021.

We must rise to the challenge of threatened progress against this deadly disease. Eliminating malaria has the potential to free health systems, reduce poverty, increase access to education, and more—and with the rollout of preventative vaccines underway, immense progress is within reach.

Gavi's new five-year strategy seeks to vaccinate at least 50 million children against malaria, but the world's support is essential to reaching this goal. Learn more and get involved today at gavi.org.

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance recently launched their 2026-2030 Investment Opportunity that shows the positive impact of immunization programs in coming years. The Alliance's work not only ensures that vaccines reach all corners of the globe, but also advances several UN Sustainable Development Goals, from education to gender equality to economic growth. To learn more, check out the second of our three-part blog series on Gavi 6.0 here: https://shotatlife.org/2024/07/09/gavi-sustainable-development-goals/

Cervical cancer kills one woman every 90 seconds.

The disease’s elimination is a major public health initiative for the WHO, which aims to vaccinate 90% of girls with preventative HPV vaccines by 2030 to protect them from cervical cancer.

With over 20 therapeutic HPV vaccine candidates currently in development and the gradual addition of HPV vaccines to routine immunization schedules in West Africa, this goal is increasingly more feasible. Visit shotatlife.org to make your voice heard for .

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance recently launched their new investment opportunity (IO) for 2026-2030 with the potential for increased global collaboration and vaccine impact. The first of several key components to the IO is the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA), developed to localize vaccine production and ensure a more sustainable vaccine supply on the African continent. To learn more, check out the first of our three-part blog series here: https://shotatlife.org/2024/07/03/gavi-vaccine-manufacturing/

USAID - US Agency for International Development works with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance to build strong immunization systems and to ensure access to lifesaving vaccines. At the 2024 Global Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation, the U.S. Government pledged $1.58 billion to support Gavi. While Gavi leads in vaccine market shaping and facilitates access in lower-income countries, USAID complements these efforts by investing in national immunization systems. Funds over the next several years will be dedicated to manufacturing vaccines locally on the African continent—stay tuned tomorrow to learn more!

We’re aging backward—but not in the way you think.

The COVID-19 pandemic erased a decade of hard-won life expectancy gains.

Yet, the millions of lives that continue to be saved from vaccine-preventable diseases show progress is possible.

➡️ Learn more: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2024/

Over 65 million people from Mozambique to Ethiopia are facing unprecedented challenges with conflict, extreme weather, and food security, according to the UN. East Africa as a whole has recently seen its worst floods and droughts in 40+ years, displacing millions and interrupting already fragile health systems. To help reach refugee and displaced people in the region with essential health services amid the worsening climate and conflict, visit www.shotatlife.org/healthy-start

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance recently launched their new investment opportunity for 2026-2030, and the potential for expanded immunization impact is clear. From the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator to rolling out new vaccines, Gavi continues to protect entire generations from disease. To learn more and preview what's to come, check out our latest blog at

Gavi Launches New Strategy for 2026-30 | Shot@Life Last week, Gavi launched the investment case for its new strategic period and announced the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator.

On May 14, 2024, the wild poliovirus outbreak in Mozambique and Malawi was officially put to a stop. The strain of poliovirus was unable to fully re-emerge on the African continent due to the tireless efforts of community health workers, as well as a gender-specific approach to tackle cultural barriers that could potentially hinder immunization access. Read more from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative: https://polioeradication.org/news-post/keeping-gender-in-mind-to-stop-wild-polio-in-southern-africa/

A new analysis from The ONE Campaign details vaccine distribution, demonstrating that 98.9% of Africa's vaccine supply is produced elsewhere—but the African Union is on a mission to achieve vaccine sovereignty by 2040. Health leaders recently launched the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA) to aid in this process, with help from partners like ONE, Gavi, and more. Stay tuned to learn more about AVMA and Africa's path to vaccine sovereignty.

At last week's Global Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation, governments and donors committed to championing investment in the production of vaccines against cholera on the African continent. Since 2013, Gavi's efforts to increase the availability of cholera vaccines has contributed to an eighteen-fold increase in supply, but 2024's ongoing "cholera crisis" has left many without access to the lifesaving vaccines, particularly in Africa. The investment comes at a critical time; as countries work to improve their water and sanitation infrastructure, increased supply of oral cholera vaccines can help respond to surges in demand.

Yesterday, at the Global Forum for Vaccine Sovereignty and Innovation, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and its partners made the case for donors to invest in a new era of immunization. A critical part of the new investment opportunity is developing the African Vaccine Manufacturing Accelerator (AVMA), which could position Africa as a key player in the global vaccine ecosystem.

Gavi’s investment opportunity launch highlights how funding immunization secures healthier futures for children and communities worldwide. to protect nations, contain outbreaks, and save lives. Stay tuned next week for more.

Uganda’s refugee population has increased threefold since 2015, and 57% of these refugees are children. An alarming resurgence of violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of many factors fueling the refugee crisis in the area, leaving millions without necessities like basic health services. Part three of our refugee crisis series highlights conflict in the DRC—see the slideshow to learn more.

United to Beat Malaria and ShotAtLife’s new initiative aims to reach one million refugee and displaced children with essential health services in the face of heightened conflict, climate disasters, and more. To take action and help ensure a for refugee children, visit bit.ly/healthystart4refugees

Last week, Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, received approval on the most ambitious five-year plan the organization has seen. Fill out our most recent petition form to tell your representatives to support funding for Gavi today: https://act.shotatlife.org/a/fy25-gavi-house

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has interrupted healthcare services, including child vaccinations, and forced families to flee their homes. Vaccinators like Ibtisam, pictured here, travel to shelters for displaced people to administer vaccines and conduct outreach. Refugees and displaced people are among the most vulnerable in the world, so it is critical that they receive the healthcare they need to ensure a shot at a healthy life.

for Refugee Children, a new initiative from United to Beat Malaria and Shot@Life, aims to ensure that at least one million refugee and displaced children will have access to essential health services like:

✅ Childhood immunizations;

✅ Malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, nutritional support;

✅ Community outreach.

This is an “opportunity to elevate the importance of ensuring refugees and displaced people around the world have access to health services and [we] plan to use our platform to advocate for their inclusion in national health care policies and programs.” - Margaret McDonnell, United to Beat Malaria Executive Director.

Read the full story on Devex:

New partner initiative launched to protect refugee children’s health As global displacement rates reach historic levels, countries are struggling to meet the health needs of displaced populations. UN Foundation’s Margaret McDonnell explains how a new initiative will strengthen health care access for refugee children.

Last week, the world tuned in to the 77th World Health Assembly, where leaders in global health convened to discuss a full range of issues under the theme "All for Health, Health for All." As at each Assembly, there was a packed agenda covering the full range of public health issues, from pandemic preparedness to anti-microbial resistance. But it was also a big week for global immunization. Check out our latest blog post for some highlights of the week’s discussions: https://shotatlife.org/2024/06/07/reflections-on-the-77th-world-health-assembly/

In East Africa, conflict and climate crises have displaced countless families, exacerbating health challenges and economies in countries already struggling to meet refugee needs.

Healthy Start for Refugee Children, a special initiative of ShotAtLife and United to Beat Malaria in partnership with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, aims to provide essential, lifesaving health services to one million refugee and displaced children in East Africa.

Children everywhere deserve to be safe and healthy from preventable diseases like measles and malaria. Learn more about the initiative here: https://bit.ly/healthystart4refugees