Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation’s Position Statement on
COVID-19 Vaccination
Dear District Governors and Club Presidents, We see the decision to vaccinate as a civic and humanitarian imperative. Rotary is not a political or religious organization, it is a service organization and this is the lens through which we are advising you of our position.
1. Global vaccination is the path to ending the pandemic and the emergence of new variants. Rotary endorses and strongly encourages vaccination for all individuals including our members who are currently able to be vaccinated against COVID-19. In areas where COVID-19 is surging, communities are facing extreme challenges, health systems are overwhelmed, and contentious rhetoric is dividing us. It is critical that the virus be contained so that the world may begin to heal. To that end, the purpose of this statement is to reinforce Rotary’s position.
2. Misinformation has become an “infodemic” that hinders the fight against COVID-19. In line with our Four-Way Test, Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation are committed to providing our members with science-based information.
3. Rotary International staff at One Rotary Center were required to be vaccinated by 10 October 2021, as a criterion for employment after that date. RI’s employee vaccination rate stands at over 99 percent.
4. Globally, Rotary is actively engaged in assuring equity in vaccine access to all people. Our efforts have included advocacy with the G-20, and a proof-of-concept program with GAVI/COVAX to leverage our frontline experience with polio eradication to facilitate vaccine delivery in several low- and middle-income countries where Rotarians are active. While we know many clubs are already deeply involved in COVID-19 prevention, we are working on additional strategies to multiply our collective efforts. GAVI/COVAX is a partnership including WHO and UNICEF focused on global access and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines.
5. Those children for whom vaccines are not currently available are at significant risk. Until vaccines are available for all children, the vaccination of adults is the best way to protect children who cannot be vaccinated. Pediatric admissions for COVID-19 are rising precipitously in areas of low vaccination.
6. Rotary salutes health care workers everywhere as they continue to provide lifesaving services. Local recognition of these heroes by each of our clubs can help to encourage them to continue their important work. Rotary abhors any harassment and attacks on healthcare workers.
7. Rotary and Rotaract clubs are encouraged to o set good examples by being exemplary role models; o redouble their efforts to support COVID-19 treatment, prevention, and vaccination efforts.
8. Vaccines have proven to be one of the greatest advances of modern medicine. The World Health Organization estimates that vaccines save between 2 to 3 million children’s lives each year, and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative estimates the polio vaccine has saved more than 19 million children from paralysis. Vaccines are safe, effective and are responsible for eliminating or controlling many other vaccine-preventable diseases such as smallpox, measles, rubella, and Ebola. And now, there is the opportunity to end the COVID-19 pandemic through vaccines.
9. The eradication of polio remains a goal of the highest order for Rotary. We can apply the lessons we have learned in fighting polio to the efforts in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regards, Shekhar Mehta John Germ President, Rotary International Chair,
The Rotary Foundation CC: RI Board of Directors & Directors-elect, TRF Board of Trustees and incoming Trustees, District Governors-elect, Club Presidents-elect, Regional Leaders, COVID-19 Task Force, International PolioPlus Committee, Communications Committee
With it being so cold out right now, please remember you can call 211 if you see someone in need of assistance.
The City of Edmonton has activated its extreme weather response to help keep vulnerable Edmontonians safe during the cold weather expected in the coming days. The response will remain in effect until the weather improves. There will be 3 days notice before the response is deactivated.
The activation includes the operation of dedicated ETS bus routes to transport people to shelters and the temporary expansion of emergency shelter space during the extreme cold.
REMINDER
Two New Committees
Looking For Members
1. A Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee - Everyone who engages with Rotary — no matter who they are, where they are in the world, or how long they have been connected with Rotary — should feel valued, respected, and welcomed. These ideals reflect what current and prospective members want and expect from their Rotary experience: respect, ethical leadership, inclusion, and the opportunity to work together to create more just, open, and welcoming communities for all people.
Diversity has long been one of Rotary's core values and continues to serve as a foundation for how we interact with each other and our communities. But we know there is more for us to learn and do in order to ensure that our organizational culture reflects and exemplifies DEI in all ways.
Michelle and Enyinnah Okere have stepped forward to lead this committee.
If you have any interest in being part of this new committee, please contact Michelle Okere at http://michelleaokere@gmail.com
2. A Land Acknowledgement Committee – to create our Club’s Land Acknowledgment
If you have any interest in being part of this new committee, please contact Kelly Sysak at http://ksysak@shaw.ca
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