The eradication of polio is one of Rotary’s longest standing and most significant efforts. In fact, it is the largest public health initiative the world has ever seen. And it was started by Rotarians. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things!
Today, eighteen million people around the world who would have died or been paralyzed are alive and walking because of the polio eradication campaign.
It was back in the mid-1980’s that Rotarians set their sights on global polio eradication and persuaded the world’s most powerful organisations in the field of heath to join us. The result was the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, and, with our partners, we have helped immunise more than 2.5 billion children against polio in 122 countries. We have reduced polio cases by 99.9% worldwide and we won't stop until we end the disease for good.
Our district is been a strong supporter of PolioPlus for many years. Many clubs arrange fundraising events, often around World Polio Day on 24 October each year, some using Purple Pinkie and World’s Greatest Meal promotions. Our District Foundation Committee also donates a significant proportion of your District Designated Fund back to PolioPlus every year. In 2017, all New Zealand Districts received a total NZ$5 million payment from the NZ Government. This payment was divided between all NZ Districts and benefited from the Gates 2:1 matching.
How did this happen? Rotary and the polio eradication timeline
This history of Polio and Rotary's role in taking on the challenge to eradicate this disease can been followed in this dramatic timeline. Click on the image above and follow Rotary's journey from a global pandemic spanning 135 countries to being on the verge of total eradication. Only Afghanistan and Pakistan remain... so close, but also a very critical final step to ensure a polio-free world for future generations.
The Plus in PolioPlus
When we talk about PolioPlus, we think ‘polio eradication’. But it is so much more than that. The ‘plus’ is something else that is provided as a part of the polio eradication campaign. It might be a hand-operated tricycle or access to water. It might be additional medical treatment, bed nets, or soap. A 2010 study estimates that vitamin A drops given to children at the same time as the polio vaccine have prevented 1.25 million deaths by decreasing susceptibility to infectious diseases.
But the ‘plus’ also refers to the amazing infrastructure established by the programme that will be available to deliver healthcare and for disease surveillance and data collecting long after we reach our goal of polio eradication. In fact it has already started. During Ebola and pandemic influenza outbreaks, and COVID-19 that infrastructure and resources have been utilised to save lives. Click on the image above to learn more and see some wonderful stories about the ‘plus’ in PolioPlus.
Why Eradication of Polio Matters
New Zealand has been polio-free since 1967. If polio only exists in a couple of countries thousands of kilometres away in a place we'll probably never visit, why is eradicating the disease from the globe to important? Click on this video and in 2 minutes you'll understand why.
Polio in the news
Yes, polio is very much still in the news. Most recently it was a worldwide headline story when the entire continent of Africa was certified as polio-free. Click on this image for other great END POLIO NOW stories that you can share with your club and publicise through your Facebook page or club website.Donations
Clubs and individuals are strongly encouraged to continue to contribute to PolioPlus.
Individuals making regular contributions to The Rotary Foundation can specify whether their donation goes to the Annual Fund or PolioPlus. Can’t decide which? Maybe make 6-monthly contributions putting the first half to one fund and the second to the other. All individual contributions to either fund gain the individual Paul Harris recognition points and count towards your clubs Foundation Giving goals.
Clubs are asked to publicise their polio fundraising events, to not only showcase the work of their club but also raise awareness of the campaign demonstrating that Rotary is still fighting its war against the disease. Treasurers are encouraged to transfer donations before the end of May to ensure they are processed before the end of the Rotary year, 30 June.
Resources
End Polio Now is Rotary’s programme dedicated to raising awareness and funds for PolioPlus. Rotarians will find many resources for their fundraising efforts here. (Please don’t forget to send your advertising and photos to us so we can publicise your events and results at a District level).
Purple Pinkie is a local initiative to put some fun into your polio event. In developing countries were mass immunisation with oral polio vaccine (OPV) continues, a child will have indelible purple ink painted on to their little finger or ‘pinkie’ after receiving the vaccine. This will last a month which is the period in which they must not be re-vaccinated. When administering OPV the fingers are first checked to ensure the child was not recently vaccinated.
World’s Greatest Meal is another initiative established by Rotarians which, with the 2:1 match from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has raised more than US$11 million for PolioPlus. Visit the site for ideas on how you can share food, have fun and save lives.
And of course, you District Polio Committee is here to help. Please contact us for support and we love you to share your events and photos.
