Learn more about polio and what you can do to help eradicate it from the world. World Polio Day was established by Rotary International over a decade ago to commemorate the birth of Jonas Salk, who led the first team to develop a vaccine against poliomyelitis.

1. WORLD POLIO DAY
ONE DAY, ONE FOCUS: ENDING POLIO
OCTOBER 24TH 2018
ROTARY CLUB OF BAKER

2. What do these
celebrities have
In common?

3. What do these
celebrities have
In common?

4. What do these
celebrities have
In common?

5. What do these
celebrities have
In common?

6. What do these
celebrities have
In common?

7. What do these
celebrities have
In common?

8. What is polio?
 Poliomyelitis (polio) is a paralyzing and
potentially fatal disease.
 Poliovirus invades the nervous system and can
cause total paralysis in a matter of hours.
 Anyone can contract polio, but it mostly affects
children under five.
 Unfortunately, polio still threatens children in
some parts of the world.
 Polio is incurable, BUT it is completely vaccine-
preventable.
 That’s where we can make a difference.

9. Current Status
Since 1988, we’ve seen a 99.9%. worldwide
reduction in polio cases, going from around
1,000 new cases daily in the 1980s to only 20
confirmed cases worldwide so far in 2018.
Last year there were polio cases in only two
countries.
Afghanistan
• 2014: 28
• 2016: 13
• 2018: 16
1
Pakistan
• 2014: 306
• 2016: 20
• 2018: 4
2
Nigeria
• 2014: 6
• 2016: 4
• 2018: 0
3

10. Rotary and Polio: Overview
 In 1985, Rotary launched its PolioPlus
program, the first initiative to tackle global
polio eradication through the mass
vaccination of children.
 Rotary has contributed more than $1.7
billion and countless volunteer hours to
immunize more than 2.5 billion children in
122 countries.
 Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role
in decisions by donor governments to
contribute more than $7.2 billion to the
effort.

11. Rotary and Polio: Timeline
1979
• Rotary International begins its fight against polio
with a multi-year project to immunize 6 million
children in the Philippines.
1985
• Rotary International launches PolioPlus, the first
and largest internationally coordinated private-
sector support of a public health initiative
1988
• Rotary International and the World Health
Organization launch the Global Polio
Eradication Initiative. There are an estimated
350,000 cases of polio in 125 countries.

12. Global Polio
Eradication Initiative
 Formed in 1988 as a public-private
partnership.
 Includes Rotary, the World Health
Organization, the US Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention,
UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation, and governments around
the world.
 Rotary’s focus is advocacy, fundraising,
volunteer recruitment and awareness-
building.

13. Rotary and Polio: Timeline
1994
• The International Commission for the
Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication
announces that polio has been eliminated from
the Americas.
2000
• A record 550 million children – almost 10% of
the world's population – receive the oral polio
vaccine. The Western Pacific region, spanning
from Australia to China, is declared polio-free.
2003
• Rotary's total contribution to polio eradication
exceeds $500 million. Six countries remain polio-
endemic – Afghanistan, Egypt, India, Niger,
Nigeria, Pakistan.

14. Rotary and Polio: Timeline
2011
• Rotary welcomes celebrities and other major
public figures into a new public awareness
campaign and ambassador program called "This
Close" to ending polio.
2014
• World Health Organization certifies the South-
East Asia region polio-free. Polio cases are
down over 99% since 1988.
2018
• Rotary’s new goal is to contribute $50 million per
year for the next two years with a 2-to-1 match
from the Gates Foundation.

15. “This Close”
 Rotary has a growing roster of public figures and
celebrities participating in its “This Close” public
awareness campaign, including:
 Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
 actress Kristen Bell
 WWE superstar John Cena
 supermodel Isabeli Fontana
 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Emeritus Desmond
Tutu
 action movie star Jackie Chan
 boxing great Manny Pacquiao
 and many others.
 These ambassadors help educate the public
about polio through public service
announcements, social media and public
appearances.

16. Polio Today
 Polio cases represented by the remaining one
percent are the most difficult to prevent, due to
factors including:
 Geographical isolation
 Poor public infrastructure
 Armed conflict
 Cultural barriers
 Until polio is eradicated, all countries remain at
risk of outbreaks.
 If we fail to fully eradicate polio, within a decade,
we could witness a resurgence of as many as
200,000 new cases annually.

17. Ensuring Success
 Rotary will raise $50 million per year
over the next two years, with every
dollar to be matched with two
additional dollars from the Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation.
 These funds help to provide much-
needed operational support, medical
personnel, laboratory equipment, and
educational materials for health
workers and parents.
 Governments, corporations and private
individuals all play a crucial role in
funding.

18. Rotary in Action
 More than one million Rotary members
have donated their time and personal
resources to end polio.
 Every year, hundreds of Rotary members
work side-by-side with health workers to
vaccinate children in polio-affected
countries.
 Rotary members also recruit fellow
volunteers, assist with transporting the
vaccine, and provide other logistical
support.
 Local Rotary clubs play a vital role in
raising awareness and funding.

19. Rotary Club of Baker
in Action
 The Rotary Club of Baker raised
donations for the Global Polio Eradication
initiative during the 2017 Baker Buffalo
Fest and donates a minimum of $500 per
year.
 City Hall and businesses run by local
Rotarians have collected donations and
spread information about the cause
through the month of October.
Baker Buffalo Festival 2017

20. The time and
money generated
by our Rotarians
and community
members will
help to END
POLIO NOW.
The offices of Rotarians George Myer
and Brandon Puckett showcasing
community members who have
donated to our cause.

21. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
(materials to help make a
difference)
https://www.endpolio.org/r
esource-center
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
(learn more about the cause)
https://www.endpolio.org
https://www.gatesfoundation.or
g/What-We-Do/Global-
Development/Polio