World Polio Day 2019

One Day - One Focus - Ending Polio

One of the greatest public health achievements in history – eradicating polio is tantalisingly close.

Closing In - Polio cases have reduced by 99.9% since 1988 - more than 18 million people are currently walking who otherwise would have been paralysed by the virus. In 1988 Polio was rife in 125 countries today it is 2 - Pakistan and Afghanistan and cases have remained at unprecedented low levels in recent years.

Great strides have been made but there is a worrying increased trend 33 cases in 2018 was up on 2017 (22) and to date 88 cases have been reported 16 in Afghanistan (21 in 2018) and 72 in Pakistan (12 in 2018)

Rotary in Action - For more than 30 years, Rotary and our partners have driven the effort to eradicate polio worldwide contributing $1.9 billion and countless volunteer hours vaccinating children in countries affected by polio, working with UNICEF and other partners to prepare and distribute informational materials for people in areas that are isolated by conflict, geography, or poverty as well as assisting in transporting the vaccine and providing other logistical support.