Today, polio is no longer a pandemic nor even endemic in the world….but this virus stubbornly remains a threat. Go to the 'Read more ..' section to read an article penned by Keith Jones, an article to help you learn more about the Rotary Fight against Polio.To celebrate World Polio Day 2022, the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise (RCNS) and other local Rotary Clubs raised $2000. The 2-1 matching funds from the Gates Foundation grows this fundraiser to $6000. Since 2019, the RCNS has raised and donated $11,371 to the End Polio Now Campaign. With the generosity of the Gates Foundation these dollars have multiplied to over $33,000.
A fine example of local Rotarians who practice Service Above Self
After a safe and effective vaccine was developed in 1953 and approved and licensed for public injections in 1960, polio was eliminated in North and South America and Europe. However much of the underdeveloped world was subject to severe outbreaks.
In 1988 the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was undertaken by the World Heath Organization, the UN, the US Centre for Disease Control and Rotary International and later joined by the Gates Foundation.
Much progress has been made, mainly through tremendous effort to immunize youth. 3 billion children have received the oral vaccine at the low price of $3 per dose. Rotary International has been responsible for 42% of the private nongovernmental contributions to this global initiative. Rotary has committed to raising and donating $50 million USD over the next 5 years.
So, with all this effort and money, why have we not stamped out polio?
The answer is surprisingly simple. The nature of this virus (and others) is that it is a survivor. Combine that with human nature of distrust of international initiatives, war and religious intolerances and we have a toxic mix.
The “wild” version of the virus was reduced to 2 cases in 2021 but 27 cases in 2022 to date.
The older version of the oral vaccine contained a neutered variety of the virus that in rare circumstances can infect the unvaccinated. 286 cases in 2021 and 359 cases in 2022 to dated. However, through continued research funded partially by money raised by Rotary a new version of the oral vaccine has been developed. In 18 months after 450 million doses administered in 22 countries there have been ZERO cases of vaccine derived paralysis.
We are almost there but must keep up the “full court press”.
In 1988 the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was undertaken by the World Heath Organization, the UN, the US Centre for Disease Control and Rotary International and later joined by the Gates Foundation.
Much progress has been made, mainly through tremendous effort to immunize youth. 3 billion children have received the oral vaccine at the low price of $3 per dose. Rotary International has been responsible for 42% of the private nongovernmental contributions to this global initiative. Rotary has committed to raising and donating $50 million USD over the next 5 years.
So, with all this effort and money, why have we not stamped out polio?
The answer is surprisingly simple. The nature of this virus (and others) is that it is a survivor. Combine that with human nature of distrust of international initiatives, war and religious intolerances and we have a toxic mix.
The “wild” version of the virus was reduced to 2 cases in 2021 but 27 cases in 2022 to date.
The older version of the oral vaccine contained a neutered variety of the virus that in rare circumstances can infect the unvaccinated. 286 cases in 2021 and 359 cases in 2022 to dated. However, through continued research funded partially by money raised by Rotary a new version of the oral vaccine has been developed. In 18 months after 450 million doses administered in 22 countries there have been ZERO cases of vaccine derived paralysis.
We are almost there but must keep up the “full court press”.
