Rotarians Continue the Battle Against Polio

World Polio Day is observed annually on October 24, the birth date of Jonas Salk, developer of the first polio vaccine. Rotarians around the world are still engaged in the ongoing battle to totally conquer this disease. Newark Rotary stands with Rotary International in this quest.

Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children under five years old, potentially leading to paralysis and even death. Vaccination has significantly reduced its prevalence in many parts of the world, but the disease still exists in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Among the highlights of the Rotary effort:

• Wild poliovirus cases reduced by more than 99.9% since 1988
• More than 20 million people are walking today who would have been paralyzed without the campaign
• More than 3 billion children vaccinated
• Wild poliovirus types 2 and 3 — have been certified as eradicated
• Rotary's direct contribution: over $2.6 billion raised, with billions more in matched funding from the Gates Foundation

Wild poliovirus is the naturally circulating virus that has been reduced by 99.9%. Variant poliovirus is derived from the oral polio vaccine in under-vaccinated populations and can cause outbreaks until immunization coverage is high enough to stop it. Wild polio remains endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and variant polio outbreaks threaten the progress made against the disease. In effect, a battle on two fronts.

Polio eradication efforts are ongoing globally, primarily led by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), which focuses on vaccination, surveillance, and community engagement to eliminate the disease. Rotary's commitment to ending polio has been extensive and impactful, with collaborations with UNICEF and the World Health Organization leading to vaccination campaigns resulting in billions of children being inoculated.

Polio eradication would be a noteworthy public health achievement; smallpox is currently the only human disease that has been eliminated from the world.

Newark Rotary has, for over 100 years, supported the major initiatives of Rotary international in these areas: peace, maternal and child health, education, fighting disease, protecting the environment, providing clean water, and growing local economies. They remain committed to this cause, and to their motto of Service Above Self. In addition, they are contributors to local initiatives touching the lives of Newarkers. For further information visit the website at: https://portal.clubrunner.ca/4072/Page/ShowHomePage.