07/17/2025
Did you know Rotary is at the heart of one of the greatest public health efforts in human history?
In 1985, Rotary International launched PolioPlus, the first global initiative aimed at eradicating polio through mass immunization. At that time, polio paralyzed over 350,000 children every year across 125 countries.
Since then, Rotary has contributed more than $2.6 billion USD and countless volunteer hours to fight this disease. Working alongside the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the U.S. CDC, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Rotary helped reduce global polio cases by over 99.9%.
Today, wild poliovirus remains endemic in just two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan — and even there, the numbers are at historic lows. Rotary members continue to travel to high-risk regions, deliver vaccines, and educate families — often in extremely challenging conditions.
Thanks to these efforts, nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries have been vaccinated, and over 20 million people are walking today who would otherwise have been paralyzed.
✨ This is the power of collective action.
🌀 This is Rotary.
💬 Curious to learn more or be part of this legacy?
Join our meetings and discover how you can help create lasting change — locally and globally.