Polio Eradication

Rotary International has been a pivotal player in the global effort to eradicate polio since 1985 when it launched its PolioPlus program. Here are key aspects of Rotary’s involvement in polio eradication:

PolioPlus Program: was established with a goal to eradicate polio worldwide. It is one of the largest private-sector contributors to the global polio eradication initiative.
Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI): Rotary collaborates closely with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and later joined by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, under the GPEI umbrella. This initiative coordinates efforts to vaccinate children against polio and monitor and respond to outbreaks.
Vaccination Campaigns: Rotary funds and supports mass vaccination campaigns in countries where polio is still endemic or where there is a risk of outbreaks. These campaigns involve vaccinating millions of children multiple times per year.
Surveillance and Monitoring: Rotary contributes to surveillance efforts to track the wild poliovirus and detect any outbreaks promptly. This helps ensure that vaccination campaigns are targeted and effective.
Advocacy and Fundraising: Rotary members around the world advocate for polio eradication and raise funds to support vaccination efforts and infrastructure development in affected regions.
Progress and Impact: Rotary’s efforts, along with its partners in the GPEI, have significantly reduced the incidence of polio globally. Since the initiative began, the number of polio cases has decreased by over 99%, from hundreds of thousands of cases annually to just a handful of cases reported in recent years.
Challenges and Future Goals: Despite substantial progress, challenges remain, such as reaching children in remote or conflict-affected areas and addressing vaccine hesitancy. Rotary remains committed to achieving a polio-free world and continues to work tirelessly toward this goal.