Polio Eradication

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative

Polio is a potentially deadly infectious disease that can cause paralysis, and mostly affects children under five years of age.  The virus spreads from person to person typically through contaminated water.

The fight to end polio is led by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which includes Rotary International, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and governments of the world, with the support of many others around the globe.

Rotary first became involved with Polio Eradication in 1979 and since 1988 Rotary and its partners have staunchly led the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.  Rotary has helped immunise more than 3 billion children, mobilised public support for ending polio, contributed over US$2.1 billion to the global polio eradication effort, and helped solicit support from donor governments resulting in over $10 billion in contributions.

In 2013 the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation extended their partnership.  For every  £1 Rotary donates, the Gates Foundation donates £2.  

Status Report : 99.9 % reduction in Polio cases since 1988.

Polio is endemic in two countries – Pakistan and Afghanistan, both countries that are experiencing conflict making it more challenging to deliver programmes in those countries.  Figures reported in June 2025 show two cases in Afghanistan and eleven in Pakistan.

There have been 75 cases across a variety of countries in central Africa caused by the circulating vaccine-derived form of the virus.  Surveillance plays a key role in identifying potential outbreaks, for example when it was found in the London sewage system in 2022.

Traces have also shown up in samples found in a variety of European countries and this is inevitable as people travel.  None of these cases have been linked to infections, it may well be people who have been vaccinated carrying traces of the virus.

Polio cases have declined rapidly since 1985, but the fight isn't over.  Polio is a crippling and potentially fatal infectious disease, and for as little as US$3, a child can be protected against the virus for life.  If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year.

Useful links  End Polio Now and Global Polio Eradication Initiative 

What you can do

 The World Health Organisation is facing a critical funding gap due to the withdrawal of funding from the USA, as a result the organisation is closing offices in various countries and reducing manpower.  It is estimated that despite these measures there will be a shortfall in funding for the polio eradication campaign, perhaps as much as $250 million per year.  Some countries have stepped up their donations in response but the situation is very difficult not to say critical. 

The Gates Foundation has renewed its support for the campaign, i.e. they match all donations 2:1.  What does that mean in practice?

Every pound sterling automatically becomes three pounds; three pounds buys 15 of the NEW vaccinations (which means no vaccine derived cases). That means :

15 children who will not get Polio

15 children who will not risk death

15 children who will not suffer a lifetime of disability

15 families who will not have to support a disabled child

ALL FOR JUST ONE POUND.

We are so close to delivering our promise to the children of the world to eradicate polio from the earth – your support has never been so important – please donate today.

Go to our World Polio Day and ideas page to see what you can do to raise the profile of and also raise funds for the Polio Eradication Programme. Click to Donate Here.