Ending Polio - worldwide

Altrincham Rotary continues to help eradicate Polio across the world.

Altrincham Rotary has played a role in the significant global public health achievement to eradicate polio. Only Pakistan and Afghanistan remain to be declared polio-free.

Polio is a debilitating disease mainly affecting children, which can cause paralysis and even death.

This incredible milestone is the result of decades of effort from Rotary clubs and volunteers around the world, who have fundraised, campaigned, and worked tirelessly since Rotary pledged to rid the world of polio more than 35 years ago.

Altrincham Rotary has played its part in the End Polo Now campaign for many years. Local initiatives included: fundraising and donations; arranging polio-awareness activities with local schools, planting purple crocus corms in public areas, illuminating buildings with purple light, and more.

Globally, more than 2.5 billion children have been protected against the disease, which have reduced the number of cases by 99.9% from around 1,000 cases per day in 125 countries.

Rotary remains committed to helping take the final, challenging steps towards making a polio free world a reality. “If we don’t finish the job, it is estimated that, within 10 years, as many as 200,000 children annually all over the world could succumb to polio, including here in the UK. The virus can literally be only a plane ride away, so vaccination is very important.”

In order to sustain this progress, vaccination programmes must continue to protect every last child and strengthen routine immunisation to keep immunity levels high, so the virus does not return to Africa or other parts of the world, including the UK.

Rotary has directly contributed more than US$2 billion to ending polio since 1985.

On behalf of the millions of children who remain vulnerable to polio and therefore, potentially, a lifetime of misery - thank you. 

To get involved in Rotary and make a difference in your community and around the world, visit www.rotarygbi.org/join