Oslo/Geneva, 30 July 2024 –Today, Ada Hegerberg and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance gathered young people from around the world at the coveted Friendship Match during the Norway Cup to illustrate how unequal access to vaccines worldwide gives children an unfair start in life.

This match, however, had a striking difference from usual – one team began the game with more players and a clear advantage. Ada soon eased the crowd’s concerns and halted the unfair game. This one-sided game, she explained, symbolised the unfair start some children receive in life due to their unequal access to vaccines. Under Ada’s instruction, the players then left the pitch ready to restart. When returning to the pitch, the players did so together – horizontally – to signify a fair starting line and the equal opportunities that children will receive if provided with equal access to vaccines.

The Starting Line Ambassadorand Norway International Footballer, Ada Hegerberg, said: "Equality and fairness are essential to sports, and it should be the same in life. Vaccines have already done so much to save lives, but access is still uneven around the world. All children should, regardless of their circumstances, be able to get the vaccines they need to protect themselves from diseases. And every single one of them deserves a spot on The Starting Line of life."

The Starting Line is a summer-long campaign by Gavi and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to raise awareness about unequal access to vaccines around the world following the launch of Gavi’s Investment Opportunity 2026–2030. Today, over 20 million children are missing out on life-saving vaccines, with many countries still lacking consistent access to affordable immunisations. The campaign calls on global decision-makers to help protect more children worldwide against more diseases faster than ever before.

Björn Gillsäter, Gavi’s Managing Director of Global Donor Relations, Advocacy and Fundraising, said: “The Norway Cup, with its passionate support of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, exemplifies the critical role that Norway plays in creating a healthier world for all. This event is the perfect platform to host The Starting Line campaign. To protect children everywhere from preventable diseases, it is crucial that our partners, including Norway, sustain the support of equal access to vaccines to ensure no child is left behind.”

Since its launch in 2000, Gavi has enhanced access to vaccines, helping to protect over 1 billion children in lower-income countries from devastating infectious diseases and contributing to a remarkable 70% reduction in vaccine-preventable child deaths in these countries. As one of its original donors, Norway has played a vital role in supporting Gavi in this mission. From 2026–2030, Gavi has the opportunity to protect a further 500 million children and save over 8 million lives.

The Starting Line campaign is running across Europe and will also feature a series of international sporting champions, including Ada Hegerberg, Olympic gold medallist Mo Farah, former French footballer Robert Pires, Olympic gold medallist and former swimmer Laure Manaudou, and breakdancer Junior Bosila Banya. Their My Starting Line videos are available on their social media channels and in this toolkit. In Norway, the campaign is further supported by Double Olympian Henrik Ingebrigtsen and influencer Amalie Snøløs.

Attendees to the Norway Cup can visit The Starting Line tent in the Global Goals Arena, which is open throughout the tournament. Visitors can find their spot on The Starting Lineof life and participate in campaign-themed activities. The tent is also staffed by a team of experts available to discuss the campaign and Gavi’s wider work.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Eunice Kilonzo-Muraya
+41 76 424 85 03
ekilonzo@gavi.org

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
(206) 709-3400
media@gatesfoundation.org

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