Despite tremendous progress in reducing the incidence of polio, it still exists. Polio will continue to threaten children everywhere as long as it exists somewhere. In this age of global travel, a new outbreak of polio might only be a plane ride away.

Did you know that . . .

  * Polio is a highly infectious disease that primarily affects children under the age of three and can cause paralysis within hours.

  * Before eradication efforts began in 1988, polio paralyzed more than 1,000 children a day, which totaled about 350,000 children annually. The incidence of polio has since declined by more than 99 percent.

  * Vaccinations easily can stave off polio. Vaccinations have prevented an estimated 500,000 children per year from contracting polio. A child can be protected against polio for as little as 60 cents (US) worth of vaccine.

  * Today, polio cases are only found in four countries: Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan.

  * Rotary International is the spearheading member of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and is the largest private sector donor. It has contributed more than US$600 million to the polio eradication activities in 122 countries. In addition, tens of thousands of Rotarians have partnered with their national ministries of health, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, and with health providers at the grassroots level in thousands of communities.

A polio-free world is within our grasp. Join Rotary’s effort to end this crippling disease. Learn more about Rotary's ongoing effort to eradicate polio and how you can help through contributions to PolioPlus and PolioPlus Partners. Ellen Book, the chair of the District 6990 Polio Plus Committee (part of our District Rotary Foundation Committee), can answer your questions or make a presentation to your club regarding Rotary’s quest to finish the job and rid the planet of the wild polio virus; a feat that is referred to as “Rotary’s gift to the children of the world.”

National Immunization Day in India, read an account here    National Immunization Day

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