“The Waiting Room” is a short film written and performed by youth changemakers as part of the Youth Takeover initiative, a project amplifying young voices in global health through storytelling and creative expression.

Set in a hospital waiting room, the spoken-word-style film follows a young couple preparing for their child’s second vaccine. Through heartfelt dialogue and poetic reflections, the film unpacks the fears, histories, and hopes surrounding vaccines from generational loss to present-day anxieties and dreams. It’s a love letter to protection, legacy, and the silent strength of parents who want more for their children.

The film was conceived and brought to life during an intensive Bootcamp, where participants developed skills in storytelling, advocacy, and film production. It’s more than art, it’s advocacy through lived experience.

“The Waiting Room” is a reminder that vaccines are not just medical interventions; they are bridges to a healthier future. As we mark 25 years of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, this youth-led project affirms that young people are ready to lead the conversation fusing tradition and science to demand equity for every child.

Watch. Reflect. Act.