Polio Plus 23025

On 24 October, World Polio Day, the Rotary Polio Plus Campaign calls for continued public support to eradicate polio world-wide. The plus in PolioPlus | Rotary International

In 1979 Rotary launched its first polio immunisation project in the Philippines and in 1985 the Rotary PolioPlus program was set up to tackle global polio eradication through mass immunisation. The target is now closer than ever and so far has:- 

• Reduced polio cases by 99.9% since our first project in 1979

• Helped immunise more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries

• Contributed more than $1.8 billion towards eradicating the disease worldwide

In the middle week of October 2025, the number new poliovirus cases reported were:-

• Afghanistan:  one WPV1 case

• Pakistan:  32 WPV1-positive environmental samples

• Algeria:  one cVDPV2-positive environmental sample

• Angola:  one cVDPV2 case

• Lao PDR:  one cVDPV1 case

• Nigeria:  two cVDPV2 cases and two cVDPV2-positive environmental samples

This is a huge achievement, but it is crucial to still continue with the battle to eradicate polio world wide.

Our Club has supported the campaign for many years and one of our member, Clive Bath, has visited India,  a number of times to help give the vaccinations.

Bill Gates: The Optimist

In an exclusive interview, the American philanthropist discusses The Gates Foundation’s ongoing contribution to the campaign against polio. Bill Gates on Polio - Rotary Magazine - Oct 2025