A brief history of PolioPlus
Since PolioPlus began in 1985, Rotary’s vast network of 1.2 million members has contributed money, volunteer time, and networking expertise to the polio eradication effort.
- Rotary’s financial contributions to the global polio eradication effort will reach nearly US$650 million by the time the world is certified polio-free.
- Rotary’s leadership, beginning in 1985, inspired the World Health Assembly to pass a resolution to eradicate polio, which paved the way for the formation of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988.
- Thousands of Rotarians around the world have volunteered during National Immunization Days to immunize children.
- The PolioPlus and PolioPlus Partners programs help Rotary fund operational costs, such as transportation, vaccine delivery, social mobilization, and training of health workers, and support surveillance activities. Read more about what happens before, during, and after a National Immunization Day (NID).
- Rotarians work to encourage both donor and polio-affected governments to commit the political and financial resources needed to eradicate polio.