Support efforts to assure vaccination

One and a half million children die each year from diseases that could have been prevented by a vaccine. Shockingly, one in five children in the world lack access to the basic childhood vaccines we take for granted here in the U.S.

Great strides have been made over the last decade to give more families access to immunizations for their children. The measles vaccine alone has prevented an estimated 20.3 million deaths from 2000- 2015, a 79 percent reduction.

In addition to the moral and humanitarian impact, increased vaccination rates around the world benefit us in Illinois. Thousands of Illinois kids are immune compromised and cannot receive vaccinations. They rely on herd immunity and depend on others around the world receiving vaccines. These families have more than enough to worry about. Preventable diseases should not be among the concerns keeping them up at night.

In today's interconnected world, deadly diseases don't stop at borders, as demonstrated by recent measles outbreaks and Ebola cases in the U.S.

Immunizations are also a financially sound investment. For every $1 spent on childhood immunizations, you get $44 in economic benefits.

The United Nations Foundation's Shot@Life campaign is asking U.S. legislators to help reduce vaccine-preventable childhood deaths by providing adequate funding for global vaccine programs. Call your federal lawmakers' offices and ask them to strengthen and prioritize funding for global vaccine programs through partners such as the United Nations, Gavi (the Vaccine Alliance), CDC, and USAID.

We all have a stake in the outcome of keeping our children and family safe. Parents around the world will sleep more soundly knowing their children are protected.

Shannan Younger

Naperville