We are on the brink of a monumental achievement: eradicating polio. After 25 years of hard work by Rotary and its partners, a final, determined push is all that stands between us and a world free of this disease.
Achieving this goal is not without its obstacles, including a significant funding shortfall. While Rotary cannot close this gap alone, our continued advocacy for government support is vital.
Polio anywhere is a threat to children everywhere. We have an opportunity of historic proportions to end this disease and create a safer world for all.
Rotary’s work
For more than 25 years, Rotary has been a driving force in the global fight against polio. Our flagship program, PolioPlus, is the volunteer arm of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and is a globally recognized model of public-private cooperation.
To date, we have contributed over US$1 billion and thousands of Rotarians have volunteered during National Immunization Days to immunize children. The PolioPlus program covers vital operational costs, including vaccine delivery, transportation, and training. Additionally, Rotarians work to secure the necessary political and financial support from governments.
Rotary’s journey began in 1985 when our leadership inspired the World Health Assembly to pass a resolution for polio eradication, which led to the formation of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988.
Key Facts About Polio
Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious and potentially fatal disease caused by the poliovirus. Here are some key facts about the disease and the global effort to eradicate it:
- A Devastating Disease: Polio is a crippling disease that can cause paralysis in a matter of hours. The paralysis is almost always irreversible, and in the most severe cases, the virus attacks the motor neurons of the brain stem, which can lead to breathing difficulties or death. Historically, polio has been the world’s greatest cause of disability.
- Who is at Risk: The virus mainly strikes children under the age of five in countries in Asia and Africa, but anyone who is not vaccinated is at risk.
- Transmission: The poliovirus spreads from person to person, primarily through contact with the feces of an infected person. It can also be transmitted through contaminated food or water.
- Prevention is the Only Cure: There is no cure for polio. The only protection is prevention through vaccination. For as little as US$0.60 worth of vaccine, a child can be protected for life.
- Global Progress and the Final Push: Thanks to a massive global vaccination effort, polio cases have been reduced by 99%. However, if the disease isn’t eradicated completely, the world will continue to live under its threat. It is estimated that more than 10 million children will be paralyzed in the next 40 years if the world fails to capitalize on its existing US$9 billion global investment in eradication.