Accelerated Measles Mortality Reduction Improving Routine Immunizations in Africa AMMRIRIA Advocacy

The Measles Partnership

Sabin Vaccine Institute Sustainable Immunization Financing Program Seeks to increase the amount and proportion of government funding for routine immunization system activities and to assure governments obtain and control any needed long-term funding for national immunization programs Active since 2008 in 15 countries- Cambodia, Cameroon, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Nepal, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leon, Sri Lanka, Uganda

Sabin Vaccine Institute Sustainable Immunization Financing Program Hold colloquia, peer exchanges with parliamentarians, Ministries of Health and Ministries of Finance to explore immunization budgeting and funding strategies To date parliaments in five countries – Sierra Leone, Senegal, DR Congo, Cambodia and Nepal – have used resources provided by the SIF program to increase annual health budgets.

AMMRIRIA 2010 Activities President Carter communicated with 9 Heads of State in the region President Carter communicated with the African Union Chair Bingu Wa Mutharika (President of Malawi) and also with the UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon and others around the MDG Summit Op Ed Advocacy video for the Canadian Conference on Global Health

AMMRIRIA Advocacy Activities for 2011 President Carter Mrs. Carter Africa Progress Panel Closer coordination with SVI

Lessons More voices – one message The measles message is still missing in many places where it should be included Rubella message will need to be harmonized with the measles message Develop sustainable advocates within sub- Saharan Africa

Moving Forward Form a Communications Advocacy Committee among the core partners to ensure closer coordination of messaging between existing partners –Develop an advocacy plan with measurable milestones –Agree on common messages, targets and messengers –Develop country specific strategies for effective interactions with individual countries

Moving Forward Engage additional organizations involved with immunization –MSF, Lions Club International, World Vision, Oxfam, Catholic Relief Services, Save the Children, etc. Ultimate goal should be coordinated global advocacy on immunizations