WELCOME TO ADVOCACY FOR IMMUNISATION
This is a space for those who are working to improve immunisation systems and access to vaccines, particularly in resource-poor settings. It aims to help you to find ideas, resources and guidance to advocate for strengthened commitment to vaccines and immunisation to save lives.
Why advocate for life-saving vaccines?
One in five children – or over 22 million – worldwide are still un- or under-vaccinated, most of them in low-income countries. About one and a half million children still die each year from diseases that vaccines can prevent.
We must work together to ensure that governments, leaders and communities are committed to ensuring all children can access life-saving vaccines, wherever they live and whatever their circumstances.
Advocacy step-by-step
In the pages which follow, you will be guided through the following steps to help you get started with your advocacy planning, and receive tips and guidance about how to improve your efforts for greater impact.
Advocacy is defined as:
A strategic effort to achieve change by creating an ‘enabling environment’ and commitment of political, community/religious leaders and decision-makers at
all levels.
In immunisation, this means, for example, ensuring decision makers have the information and evidence to make good decisions about existing and new vaccines, provide enough financial support, and that the immunisation system is strong so as to enable everyone to receive their recommended vaccines.
Advocacy can bring people together to work towards a shared vision.
Advocacy can amplify voices for change.
Advocacy can help decision makers clarify issues and solutions.
Advocacy can help save millions of children’s lives through improving immunisation and vaccines.