Rotary's fight against Polio
Rotary International fights polio through a comprehensive and coordinated effort known
as the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). Here are some key strategies and activities
Rotary International employs to fight polio:
1. Immunisation: Rotary members work with national governments and health organisations
to ensure children receive the polio vaccine. They support immunisation campaigns by
providing funding, organising volunteers, and promoting awareness about the importance
of vaccination.
2. Fundraising: Rotary International raises funds to support polio eradication efforts. The organisation's flagship fundraising program, known as PolioPlus, has raised hundreds of millions of dollars to support vaccination campaigns, research, surveillance, and other activities.
3. Advocacy: Rotary members engage in advocacy efforts at various levels, including governments, international organisations, and communities. They advocate for increased funding, policy support, and political commitment to eradicate polio.
4. Social mobilisation: Rotary International mobilises its vast network of members and volunteers to raise awareness about polio and the importance of vaccination. They organise events, campaigns, and educational programs to engage communities and promote immunisation.
5. Surveillance and data analysis: Rotary supports surveillance activities to identify and track polio cases. By analysing data, they can identify high-risk areas and target resources and intervention strategies accordingly.
6. Infrastructure support: Rotary International helps build and strengthen health infrastructure in polio-affected regions. This includes providing equipment, training healthcare workers, and supporting the establishment of cold chain systems for vaccine storage and distribution.
7. Partnerships: Rotary collaborates with various partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. These partnerships ensure coordinated efforts and maximise the impact of polio eradication initiatives.
Through these strategies and activities, Rotary International has played a significant role in reducing polio cases worldwide. Since launching the GPEI in 1988, Rotary, along with its partners, has helped reduce polio cases by over 99.9%, with only a few endemic countries remaining.
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By the numbers
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$3 average cost to fully protect a child against polio
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430 million children in total vaccinated in 39 countries in 2017
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$100 million cost to conduct polio surveillance worldwide
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Every donation helps us obtain the vaccines, transport and materials needed in the fight against polio.
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Learn
Get informed and help make polio a subject of conversation in your community.
