Non-Profit News

In 1981 there were about 460,000 reported cases of paralysis due to polio in 125 countries of the world.

By 2020 there were just 1,873 cases worldwide and the disease was endemic in only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Most areas of the world were polio free.

How was such dramatic progress possible? First, the key role was played by the development of the Salk and Sabin vaccines that were approved for use in 1955 and 1960 respectively. But how to vaccinate the millions of children worldwide that would have to immunized to stop the spread of the virus that causes polio?

The solution to that challenge was the organization of an enormous collaboration of volunteers and public and private organizations with the financial and technical capacities to find and vaccinate every child, no matter how remote or inaccessible their homes. Rotary International leadership and the 1.9 million Rotarians have played a significant role in this work.

Rotary’s first efforts were carried out in the Philippines where six million children were vaccinated over a few years. From that experience, Rotary launched its Polio Plus program to vaccinate against polio and several other childhood diseases. That was the world’s first and largest privately funded public health initiative.

To date, Rotarians have given over $2.1 billion over the past 35 years and three billion children in 122 countries have been vaccinated. Public health experts warn that if the polio eradication efforts were to stop today, within ten years 200,000 people could be paralyzed. The work must continue until all countries are polio-free. Toward that end, Rotary International has committed its End Polio Now campaign.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the work to end polio may do so at Rotary.org, click the Donate button, then the Polio Plus button.

Anyone interested in becoming a Rotarian or to learn more about Rotary’s humanitarian work around the world and in the community is invited to attend a meeting of the Oswego Rotary Club any Tuesday at noon at Bishop’s Commons. The building is fully accessible with convenient parking. Visiting Rotarians and guests are welcome and may reserve lunch by contacting TGorman13126@Gmail.com.