In the early 20th century, polio was one of the most feared diseases in industrialized countries, paralyzing hundreds of thousands of children every year. Soon after the introduction of effective vaccines in the 1950s and 1960s however, polio was brought under control and practically eliminated as a public health problem in first-world countries.  However, in over 100 countries, polio continued to be a feared disease.

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 2.5 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.

Today, there are only three countries that have never stopped transmission of the wild poliovirus: Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan. Only 35 polio cases were confirmed worldwide in 2016, which is a reduction of more than 99.9 percent since the 1980s, when the world saw about 1,000 cases per day.

A challenge today is the 65 million refugees, many of which are small children that are moving around in war torn areas.  Rotary and the world polio eradication efforts work hard to find and immunize these children.

Locally, Ed Arnold has worked passionately raising funds to help eradicate polio worldwide.  Through Ed’s continued work with the Iowa Energy, more than $81,000 has been raised enabling over 125,000 doses of vaccine to be given to children. 

The Iowa Energy gives a 20% discount for tickets to this important event.  Tickets are $16 and can be purchased through local Rotary Clubs.  Half of that amount for each ticket ($8) goes directly to the PolioPlus Effort.

Please support this most important endeavor!