orally, minimal training is required for volunteers to distribute the vaccine, making it possible to increase the number of vaccinators well beyond the medically trained staff. Over the years, several mass synchronized NIDs have been organized. In March 2010, for example, 19 countries in western and central Africa participated in several synchronized NIDs in which 85 million children were vaccinated. Tens of thousands of vaccinators from various organizations travelled from door- to-door for three days to personally administer the vaccine to every child. Once immunized, the child’s finger was dyed purple so that volunteers would be able to identify those who still required the vaccine.
The fight to end polio is led by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which includes Rotary International, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and governments of the
2012); down over 99%, from 125 countries and 350,000 cases in 1988. India has not had a new case of polio since January 2011. This is quite an accomplishment, as it was only in 2009 that India accounted for nearly half of all cases of polio and had long been considered one of the toughest countries to eradicate the disease.
world, with the support of many others around the globe. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has contributed over $1.3 billion to the fight against polio. The Foundation also coordinates high-level government advocacy and valuable partnerships. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation issued a $355 million challenge grant to Rotary International which it recently met with an additional $200 million in funding for polio eradication. Today, only three countries are still reporting cases of polio; Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria with only 177 new cases this year (as of Nov 14th
Rotary International is supported by more than 34,000 clubs in over 200 countries, with 1.2 million members worldwide. Clubs are involved in local and international humanitarian projects to support education and job training, provide clean water, combat hunger and improve health and sanitation.
If you would like further information about our local Rotary clubs, please visit
www.clubrunner.ca/5060/
Rotary’s overall contribution to the eradication effort totals nearly US$1 billion. But, as Hewko said to the crowd, “we cannot stop until we are declared a polio-free world. The very last case of polio will cost millions of dollars, but the eradication of the disease will save us billions in health care.” After small pox, polio will be only the second disease wiped off the face of the earth; and what a proud moment that will be for all those involved.
For more information about how you can contribute to the PolioPlus campaign, please visit
www.endpolio.org.
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