Polio Vaccine for a Child in India

Earndit Community Goal: Immunize 500 Children

Immunize One Child for Every 500 Points Redeemed

Summary

Rotary aims to eradicate polio, a crippling and potentially fatal disease. Only four countries remain polio endemic. There is currently a $720 million funding gap for global eradication activities.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Polio is a crippling and potentially fatal infectious disease that continues to strike children- mostly under age five. Every child deserves the right to walk, run, and play without the threat of paralysis from a disease that can be prevented. Today, only four countries in the world — Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan — remain polio-endemic, down from more than 125 countries in 1988. However, all of the world’s children remain at risk as long as polio exists anywhere.

How will this project solve this problem?

Rotary aims to interrupt the transmission of polio by reaching children in affected and at-risk countries through routine immunization, National Immunization Days (NIDs), surveillance, and targeted mop-ups. This project will fund an NID in India.

Potential Long Term Impact

Once polio eradication is achieved, it will be only the second time (after smallpox) that a disease has been eliminated through human intervention. The $1 billion spent annually on polio immunization can be used for other public health concerns.

Project Message

"Polio eradication has benefited immensely from having Rotary’s support. Everywhere I go to learn about polio, I see Rotary members helping out with hard work."
- Bill Gates, Chairman, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation