End Polio Now
Help bring about the end of Polio.
World Polio Day is 24th October.
24th October is World Polio Day
Most know it as poliovirus. The virus is spread person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can attack the nervous system, and in some instances, lead to paralysis. Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine – one which Rotary and our partners use to immunize over 2.5 billion children worldwide.
In 1985 Rotary International launches PolioPlus, the first and largest internationally coordinated private-sector support of a public health initiative, with an initial fundraising target of US$120 million.
End Polio Now Update: April 2026
Continuing thanks to all clubs who invite me (and often Judith, my better half) into their meetings to give a presentation on Polio in a wider context, from its technical discovery, effects, the history of the immunisation programs through to what’s happening now and in the future. Thanks too for the donations you have made to the ongoing eradication program as clubs or, in some cases as individuals.
STATS
The table below gives the latest stats available to me as at 25/03/2026. You will appreciate there is always a delay due the collection of data emanating from some very remote locations. The table is deliberately truncated below the TOTAL line.
The above should be self-explanatory as it follows the usual format. It shows there has been only ONE new case of Polio reported so far this calendar year (compared to 6 in the same period last year). If you have any questions, let me know. Quite why Germany has started putting in an appearance on this shortened list I have no idea!
Crocus 2026
There will be an opportunity to purchase Crocus Corms, as in past years. It is my understanding that the price will be the same as last year. The methodology of ordering will, I expect, be the same as last year but I will contact clubs with full details when it is available to me.
UK Govt Funding for Polio Eradication
Clubs may have received a communication from RGBI about future funding (or lack thereof) by the UK Government. This is reproduced here (as always it’s not a simple as just stopping funding – as you will see there will still be contributions to ‘gavi’ as explained in the text)
It is with deep concern we have heard that the UK government has decided to withdraw its financial support for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).
This is difficult news, particularly at a moment when the world is closer than ever to ending polio for good.
Rotary International pioneered the campaign to eradicate polio four decades ago. Our members have given huge amounts of financial, volunteering and advocacy support to this endeavour, and we remain fully committed to the task of eradicating polio as our organisation’s number one humanitarian goal.
Alongside our partners, we have helped immunise more than 3 billion children against polio in 122 countries, prevented over 20 million cases of paralysis and reduced the number of polio cases by 99.9%.
That is extraordinary progress.
The GPEI depends on financial support that enables the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF to maintain their actions on the ground around the world. Even prior to the UK’s announced budget reduction, the GPEI was forced to reduce its 2026 budget by almost 30% compared to 2025 as a result of reduced global health funding from major donors. The decision by the United Kingdom to stop providing funds to the GPEI after 2026 puts at risk the great efforts that have been made over the last 40 years to improve the health and wellbeing of children across the world.
The UK Government has said it will continue to support WHO and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, while ending direct funding for GPEI. We recognise the importance of those wider health investments but also know that polio eradication remains urgent.
We are at a critical stage in the campaign to eradicate polio, infection numbers in Pakistan and Afghanistan are very low, but this is a result of great efforts on the ground in these last two endemic countries. Pakistan has 400,000 people working in vaccination teams, and in Afghanistan teams are working street by street in cities, towns and villages to ensure that every child is reached.
Conflict between the two countries has put vaccination teams at further risk but still the effort to vaccinate goes on. A recent drive in Pakistan inoculated 45 million children.
Loss of financial support for the eradication campaign could have dire consequences, with direct implications for every country, every community, every family around the world.
Last year, traces of the polio virus were found across Europe. In January this year, traces were found in wastewater in London. Failure to eliminate the polio virus in Pakistan and Afghanistan would open the door to new outbreaks in countries where the virus was eliminated.
This is a moment for renewed resolve and action. Please keep raising awareness, strengthening advocacy and supporting End Polio Now in your club, hub and community.
We have come too far, achieved too much and changed too many lives to stop now. Let us stand together, stay determined and finish the job.
Malcolm Tagg
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