Help us to eradicate Polio. Join us - click for the details

Help the Rotary Club of Poundbury to continue our part in the eradication process. Just come along to the tea one day before World Polio Day, 23^rd October at The Quiet Space, Poundbury, from 2pm until 4pm – no charge but please consider a donation.

Poliomyelitis, more commonly known as polio, is a disease that once terrified populations across the globe. It left thousands, particularly children, paralysed or disabled, and even claimed many lives. The story of polio is one of scientific discovery, global cooperation, and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.

Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children under the age of five. It spreads through contaminated water and food, or contact with an infected person. In the early 20th century, outbreaks became increasingly common in Europe and North America, with epidemics occurring during summer months. Hospitals overflowed with young patients, many of whom would require devices such as the "iron lung" to help them breathe.

For much of the 20th century, scientists raced to discover a way to prevent or cure polio. In the 1940s and 1950s, key breakthroughs occurred. American virologist Dr. Jonas Salk developed the first successful polio vaccine in 1955, using inactivated (killed) virus. This was followed by Dr. Albert Sabin's oral polio vaccine, introduced in the early 1960s, which used a weakened live virus and was easier to administer on a mass scale.

Vaccination campaigns dramatically reduced the number of polio cases in countries with access to the vaccines. The disease was eliminated from Western Europe and the Americas by the end of the 20th century, thanks to coordinated efforts by Rotary International who adopted the elimination of polio worldwide in 1985, joined by the World Health Organization (WHO), and organisations such as CDC, GAVI, UNICEF and the Gates Foundation.

The polio story is a testament to the power of science, public health, and community action. It reminds us of the devastating effects of infectious diseases—and the hope that comes from global collaboration and persistence. While polio is now rare, the fight to eradicate it continues, inspiring future generations to pursue a world free from preventable diseases.

Polio’s journey from a feared epidemic to near eradication is one of the most remarkable public health achievements in history. It serves as a powerful reminder of what humanity can accomplish when united in purpose and driven by compassion.

Over the past forty years, polio cases have decreased from more than 300,000 annually to approximately twelve. During this period, Rotary has contributed three billion US dollars towards eradication efforts.