Rotary Global Polio Eradication Initiative

Posted on Nov 15, 2018
World Polio Day on 24 October was a special moment for united action across the programme – a time for vaccinators, advocates and donors in every far corner of the globe to reflect together on the world’s incredible progress toward eradication.
 
Much has changed since the establishment of the GPEI in 1988, and the polio programme has changed with it. But one thing has remained constant: the commitment of the tireless individuals working to end this disease.
 
We’re thankful for the advocates from all walks of life – from religious scholars to polio survivors – who are taking bold steps each day to ensure that every child will one day be forever safe from polio.
OCTOBER 2018             PDF version
 


World Polio Day on 24 October was a special moment for united action across the programme – a time for vaccinators, advocates and donors in every far corner of the globe to reflect together on the world’s incredible progress toward eradication. Much has changed since the establishment of the GPEI in 1988, and the polio programme has changed with it. But one thing has remained constant: the commitment of the tireless individuals working to end this disease. We’re thankful for the advocates from all walks of life – from religious scholars to polio survivors – who are taking bold steps each day to ensure that every child will one day be forever safe from polio.
Circulating vaccine derived poliovirus cases 2018*

Democratic Republic of the Congo: 15 (10)
Niger: 2 (0)
Nigeria: 17 (0)
Papua New Guinea: 18 (0)
Somalia: 13 (0)
Syria: 0 (52)

More information: Polio this week

*Data as of 24 October 2018, compared to the same point in 2017.

Photo Story: Religious Leaders Fuel Demand for the Polio Vaccine 

In the past, misconceptions and mistrust have kept some communities from accepting essential health services like polio vaccination. To improve immunization and trust in such communities in Nigeria, UNICEF has worked with 228 Muslim and Christian clerics to mobilize caregivers against social norms that prevent families from vaccinating their children. This powerful collaboration has not only supported polio eradication efforts, but has also delivered additional health benefits to mothers and babies across Nigeria.

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Photo Story: From Polio Victims to Polio Eradicators 

For some vaccinators, the drive to fight polio is especially personal. Meet Rozi, Ashfaque and Bushra, three polio workers who – after being paralyzed by polio themselves – have gone on to become vaccination champions within their communities. These advocates know all too well what is at stake in the effort to reach every last child. Learn more about their inspiring efforts to ensure that no other child suffers from the preventable, life-altering effects of polio. 

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Photo Story: Multimedia Project Gives New Life to the Stories behind Eradication

Anywhere the threat of polio lingers, you will find them: the countless front-line health workers and volunteers who make up the backbone of the fight to end polio. From a religious scholar promoting vaccine acceptance to a teenage vaccinator working to advance her education, the UNICEF-led "Every Last Child" project has launched on the GPEI website, featuring over 30 stories and profiles capturing how heroes like these are working to protect children in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Visit the “Every Last Child” page today, and come away with a new understanding of the everyday stories and heroes making progress against polio possible .
 
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Pakistan’s polio programme lends a hand to fight measles: 

This month, as vaccinators worked to protect more than 31 million children against measles, routine immunization teams were joined by the polio programme’s greatest asset: a highly-skilled workforce of community vaccinators, front-line health workers and social mobilizers. Learn more about the far-ranging impact of this collaboration on the health of children across Pakistan. More
 
People unite to mark World Polio Day: 

At the sixth annual World Polio Day Event in Pennsylvania, USA WHO Surveillance Officer Dr. Ujala Nayyar, TIME editor-at-large Jeff Kluger and many others shared their perspectives on the 30-year fight to stop the virus. Get the scoop on this, and many other events that marked this special annual moment. More
 
G20 Ministers of Health show support for polio eradication: 

At the G20 Health Ministerial meeting in Mar del Plata, Argentina on 4 October, senior health officials from the world’s largest economies recognized the importance of eradicating polio, strengthening routine immunization programmes and health systems, and planning for transition. Read their full statement of support. More
 

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