Polio, once a sourge of the Earth, crippling children and devastating lives, is close to being completely eradicated, with less than 100 cases of wild polio so far in 2025, in just two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Rotary works to eradicate polio by funding and organizing global vaccination campaigns, supporting disease surveillance to track the virus, and engaging with communities to build trust and raise awareness about the importance of vaccination. Through its PolioPlus program, Rotary has contributed over $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours, protecting billions of children and forming key partnerships with organizations like the WHO, UNICEF, and the CDC.
At the annual Polio Plus Society afternoon tea on Saturday August 30th, members gathered in Camberwell to hear from Polio Plus Coordinator for Rotary Zone 8 Dr. Murray Verso on the status of the fight against polio, which will soon become just the second disease in human history to be completely eradicated, thanks to the success of vaccinations.
To learn more about the Polio Plus Society and how you can help fight this insidious disease: Click on this link
