10/24/2026
Today, October 24, is World Polio Day—a time to recognize the extraordinary progress toward ending polio and renew our commitment to finishing the job.
When Rotary launched PolioPlus in 1985, it made a bold commitment to a world free of polio. By 1988, the disease was still paralyzing an estimated 350,000 children annually across 125 countries, leaving families and communities devastated.
Through decades of dedication, Rotary and its global partners have helped reduce wild poliovirus cases by more than 99%. Wild poliovirus types 2 and 3 have been certified eradicated—remarkable milestones in the effort to protect every child from this preventable disease.
The Rotary Club of Mukwonago has contributed to this worldwide effort through its financial support of PolioPlus. These contributions help fund vaccinations and eradication activities, demonstrating how local generosity can make a difference far beyond our community.
The fight against polio stands among the great achievements in public health, showing what sustained commitment and collective action can accomplish. Rotary’s leadership, together with the work of health professionals, volunteers, governments, and global partners, has helped protect millions of children. On this World Polio Day, we celebrate that progress while remaining committed to a future in which no child faces the devastating effects of polio.
