Eradicating Polio: Rotary International Reaffirms Commitment on World Polio Day
On World Polio Day, Rotary International leaders and public health experts gathered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the birthplace of the polio vaccine, to reaffirm their unwavering commitment to global polio eradication.
“I know it is a question of when polio will be eradicated, not if,” declared Rotary International President Stephanie A. Urchick during a livestream event hosted by the University of Pittsburgh.
Urchick highlighted the incredible progress made in the fight against polio. Since the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was formed in 1988 by Rotary International and its partners, wild polio cases have plummeted by 99.9%.
Despite these successes, Polio remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan, with increased case counts in 2024 serving as a stark reminder that until the disease is eradicated everywhere, it remains a threat to children globally.
Achieving Eradication: The Challenges and the Path Forward
While acknowledging the recent challenges, Michael K. McGovern, chair of the International PolioPlus Committee, expressed unwavering confidence in achieving global eradication. “We’re in a bumpy period, but we’re going to get this done by continuing to focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan and doing the things that were done so successfully by Rotarians,” he stated.
The event showcased the tireless efforts of polio vaccination workers on the front lines. Urchick shared her own experience visiting Karachi, Pakistan, earlier this year and was deeply moved by their dedication. “Men work diligently to immunize thousands of children every day at traffic checkpoints, while women go house to house to reach families directly,” she said. “Some workers literally climb mountains to vaccinate children in remote locations, and their determination never wavers.”
Honoring the Legacy of Jonas Salk
The livestream event coincided with a two-day Rotary zone institute, taking place in the same city where Dr. Jonas Salk developed the polio vaccine. Dr. Peter L. Salk, president of the Jonas Salk Legacy Foundation and son of the renowned scientist, spoke about his father’s unwavering dedication to developing a cure for polio. “He just never let go,” Salk recalled. “It was his personality to have a dream and get things done.”
Salk shared how his father’s passion for science and desire to make a difference in the world fueled his research, ultimately leading him to create the first inactive polio vaccine.
Global Partnership for Polio Eradication
Several prominent figures sent video messages of support for the eradication effort, including Bill Gates, co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Gates emphasized the significance of polio eradication as a “one of the biggest advances in public health in human history.” The Gates Foundation is a crucial partner in GPEI, matching up to $50 million raised annually by Rotary at a 2-to-1 ratio.
The event concluded with a powerful message from Dr. Peter Salk: “Every time I get together with Rotarians, I am just uplifted by the quality of humanity that you all radiate and the dedication you put in all the different realms helping the world become a better place.”
Let us join Rotary International and its partners in this critical fight. By supporting polio eradication efforts, we can help ensure a future free of this crippling disease.
**Learn more about how you can support the Global Polio Eradication Initiative: https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/polio-plus