Rotary has been fighting to eradicate Polio for the last 31 years.  In 1984 Rotary committed $100 million to eradicate Polio.  From 1900-1956 there were 500k cases/year.  The wild Polio virus can live in the dirt for 10-14 days.  The virus produces in the GI tract and can go into the nerves and cause paralysis.  The virus dies if it is unable to find an unvaccinated person.

 

In 2015 there are three endemic nations. Polio incidence has dropped more than 99 percent since the launch of global polio eradication efforts in 1988. According to global polio surveillance data from October 21, 2015, 51 cases of wild poliovirus have been reported in 2015: 38 from Pakistan and 13 from Afghanistan.

 

National Immunization Days were started in India.  160 million kids were vaccinated in 1 week.

 

There were outbreaks in 2008 and 2014

 

The Gates Foundation donated $355 million and Rotary donated $200 million over three years.

 

It is preferable to give the injectable over the oral vaccine to eliminate the risk of Polio from the vaccine.

 

The Gates Foundation will match up to $35 million in donations for Polio Plus each year.