Immunization is a global public good that prevents disease and disability and saves millions of lives. Unified international support for vaccination campaigns is required to control or wipe out diseases, but in recent years child immunization campaigns have repeatedly come under threat. Health workers in Afghanistan and Pakistan have been targeted as fears of government plots fueled suspicions of vaccination campaigns.
We petition President Obama to amend Executive Order 12333, adding a paragraph after the prohibition on covert action related to US domestic politics. The amendment should ban persons in the intelligence community or acting on their behalf from joining or participating in any activity directly related to the provision of child public health services.