End Polio Now

Since 1985, Rotary International has been leading one of the most ambitious public health initiatives in history: the complete eradication of polio worldwide. What began in 1979 as a five-year project to vaccinate 6 million children in the Philippines has evolved into a global movement that has brought humanity to the brink of eliminating this devastating disease forever.

A Partnership for Global Health

As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Rotary works alongside the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. This collaboration has created an unprecedented mobilization of resources, volunteers, and expertise dedicated to protecting children from polio.

Remarkable Progress

The results speak for themselves. Polio cases have been reduced by 99.9% worldwide since Rotary began its efforts. More than 3 billion children have been vaccinated across 122 countries. Today, polio remains endemic in only two countries - Afghanistan and Pakistan - down from 125 countries in 1988. This extraordinary achievement has prevented an estimated 20 million cases of paralysis.

Rotary members have contributed over $2.9 billion to the cause, with every dollar raised by Rotary matched 2:1 by the Gates Foundation, tripling the campaign's impact. Through advocacy efforts, Rotary has also inspired governments worldwide to contribute more than $10 billion to eradication efforts.

Why We Can't Stop Now

Polio is a highly infectious disease that primarily affects children under five, potentially causing irreversible paralysis within hours. While there is no cure, vaccination provides complete protection. However, stopping efforts prematurely could be catastrophic - experts warn that within a decade, polio could resurge to 200,000 new cases annually if eradication efforts cease.

Beyond Vaccination

The End Polio Now campaign's impact extends far beyond eliminating one disease. The infrastructure built for polio eradication has strengthened healthcare systems in remote areas, improved disease surveillance capabilities, and enhanced maternal and child health programs across participating countries.

The Final Push

Rotary volunteers continue organising mass vaccination campaigns, advocating for sustained funding, and working with communities to overcome vaccine hesitancy. With polio endemic in just two nations, we are closer than ever to making history. End Polio Now represents not just a campaign, but a testament to what humanity can achieve when we work together toward a common goal: a world where no child suffers from polio.

District EPN Lead Aileen North is available to address clubs on the subject. 
Please use the contact form below.

World Polio Surveillance - Current WHO Stats

Click here for a useful Basic Fact Sheet

Click here for a useful information leaflet

If you wish to donate to End Polio Now or other funds follow this link - donate now

To learn more about eradicating polio go to the RI website for polio eradication or the official website of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.