What a Shot at Life Means to a Child

I can hardly remember when I received my childhood vaccines. Apparently I cried, according to my mother. The memories I do recall from childhood are of softball games, birthday parties, opening presents during the holidays and even dancing around in my mother’s high heels.

For many children around the world, they miss moments of childhood that are a direct result of having a healthy start to life. This year, 1.7 million children around the world will die from a disease that could have been prevented by a vaccine. For many children living in developing countries, access to immunizations means the difference between life and death, a healthy life or a lifetime of struggle.

Vaccines make a difference. Polio, a disease that once claimed the lives of millions around the world—and paralyzed nearly 1,000 children a day—has now dropped 99 percent in the number of cases worldwide over the last twenty years thanks to a coordinated global vaccination effort. Until recently, India was one of the last remaining countries where polio is still present, but it just marked a full year with no new cases of polio. This significant milestone demonstrates the tremendous impact of global vaccine delivery in providing each child with more birthdays, more smiles and more steps to leading a healthy life.

While many Americans treat their trips to the doctor as part of their regular health routine, many families in developing countries have to walk miles to receive basic care. Each step and mile traveled is a testament to the value and importance of vaccines in providing the foundation for healthy lives. A small effort on our part can make all the difference—in a big way—for these families and children.

Already, Shot@Life champions around the country are doing their part to support healthy childhood around the world. By visiting ShotatLife.org, you can learn more about the value of vaccines and what you can do to help promote Shot@Life. Whether it’s writing a letter to your local representative, hosting a fundraiser with your friends, or making a donation—just $5 will protect a child from polio and measles for his lifetime—the individual acts add up to make a big difference.

We may not remember our childhood vaccines, but they have provided us with protection against deadly disease—and more importantly, a lifetime of wonderful memories that will stay with us forever. Every child needs this chance, no matter where they are born. Join the growing movement of childhood supporters who believe that every child deserves a shot at a healthy life.