One benefit of being a Rotarian is that you can take pride in being part of an organization that truly makes a difference in the world. Since 1985, Rotarians have served as community-based mobilizers for polio eradication, motivating international groups, governments, private organizations, communities, and individuals to join the global effort to rid the world of polio. Rotary works with partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), including the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the governments of the world to achieve this historic public health goal.DID YOU KNOW?
Rotary International began its fight against polio in 1979 with a multiyear immunization project in the Philippines.
As part of the effort, Rotarians contribute their time and money to the cause, raising funds, advocating for government support, serving as volunteers to help immunize children, and raising awareness in their communities. Rotary’s contributions to the global polio eradication effort now exceed $1.6 billion, including matching funds from the Gates Foundation. Hundreds of thousands of volunteers have supported National Immunization Days. Since 1988, more than 2 billion children have received oral polio vaccine, and we’ve achieved a 99.9 percent reduction in polio cases. It may be considered the greatest humanitarian service the world has ever seen, and every Rotarian can take pride in the achievement. To learn how you can support Rotary’s efforts to eradicate polio, visit endpolio.org.