Polio can strike at any age but mainly affects children under five. Polio is incurable, but completely vaccine-preventable.     
 
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 $1.6 billion and countless volunteer hours to immunize more than 3 billion children in 122 countries. In addition, Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by donor governments to contribute more than $7.2 billion to the effort.  Since 2013, the Gates Foundation has matched every $1 Rotary commits to polio eradication 2-to-1.
As of the end of 2017, statistics showed:
  • Afghanistan    2014=28      2015=20      2016=13      2017=14
  • Pakistan          2014=306    2015=54      2016=20     2017=8
  • Nigeria            2014=6        2015=0        2016=4         2017=0
Remember, you can vaccinate a child for the cost of half a candy bar.  The 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 and cultural barriers. Until polio is eradicated, all countries remain at risk of outbreaks. 

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 work with UNICEF, the World Health Organization and other partners to prepare and distribute mass communication tools to reach people in areas isolated by conflict, geography, or poverty. Rotary members also recruit fellow volunteers, assist with transporting the vaccine, and provide other logistical support.