World Polio Day – 24th October 2021
When Rotary and its partners formed the General Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988, there were 350,000 cases of polio in 125 countries every year.
Today, we have reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent, and just two countries continue to report cases of wild poliovirus: Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Because of the efforts of Rotary and its partners, nearly 19.4 million people who would otherwise have been paralysed are walking.
More than 1.5 million people are alive who would otherwise have died.
The infrastructure we helped build to end polio is also being used to treat and prevent other diseases (including COVID-19) and create lasting impact in other areas of public health.
More than 1 million Rotary members have donated their time and money to eradicate polio, and every year, hundreds of members work with health workers to vaccinate children in countries affected by polio.
Rotary members work with UNICEF and other partners to prepare and distribute informational materials for people in areas that are isolated by conflict, geography, or poverty.
They also mobilise to recruit fellow volunteers, assist in transporting the vaccine, and provide other logistical support.
We’re People of Action – Why not join us?
