A Brief History of PolioPlus
A Brief History of PolioPlus
Since PolioPlus began in 1985, Rotary's vast network of 1.2 million members has contributed money, volunteer time, and networking expertise to the polio eradication effort.
- Rotary's financial contributions to the global polio eradication effort will reach US$1.2 billion by the time the world is certified polio-free.
- Rotary's leadership, beginning in 1985, inspired the World Health Assembly to pass a resolution to eradicate polio, which paved the way for the formation of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988.
- Thousands of Rotarians around the world have volunteered during National Immunization Days to immunize children.
- The PolioPlus program helps Rotary fund operational costs, such as transportation, vaccine delivery, social mobilization, and training of health workers, and supports surveillance activities.
- Rotarians work to encourage both donor and polio-affected governments to commit the political and financial resources needed to eradicate polio.
- In February 2012, India was removed from the list of polio-endemic countries after one year without a single new case of polio; polio eradication can be certified if India goes another two years without another case.
- Only Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria are considered polio-endemic in 2012.