Polio Eradication

In 1985, Rotary launched PolioPlus, an ambitious program to immunize the world's children against polio. Rotary's grassroots leadership, volunteer support and initial funding for vaccines provided the catalyst for the World Health Assembly's resolution in 1988 to eradicate polio worldwide. Spearheading partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative are the World Health Organization, Rotary International, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and UNICEF. As a result of these efforts, polio cases have dropped by 99% since 1988 and the world stands on the threshold of eradicating the disease. Rotary members have given more than half a billion U.S. dollars and countless hands-on volunteer hours toward this critical effort. 

The Rotary Club of Parker and its members have made significant financial contributions to this effort, and in 2010, one of our members travelled to India to deliver vaccines to young children in remote rural areas.