As you can see, Polio is ONLY endemic in 2 countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan. In 2022 there was an outbreak in Mozambique, and this was due to it being transported from Pakistan. This shows the importance of continuing the vaccination program to ensure it is truly eliminated. Sadly though, the number of cases increased in 2024 to 92, the highest since 2020.
As described by Murray Verso, Zone 8 End Polio Now Co-ordinator it is like a game of snakes and ladders.
The explosion of cases in Pakistan and Afghanistan is due to several factors:
The population has become increasingly nomadic resulting in children missing out on vaccination programs.
Disinformation about vaccines being a Western conspiracy to sterilise Muslims and general distrust of vaccines are rampant.
Sometimes communities refuse to allow their children to be vaccinated unless demands such as improved infrastructure are met.
Attacks on vaccinators and their police guards are ongoing.
Recently, the Taliban banned door-to-door vaccinations by female vaccinators.
Despite these challenges, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) believes it is still possible to achieve its two strategic goals:
1. To permanently interrupt transmission of all polio virus in Afghanistan and Pakistan by the end of 2025, and if no further cases, certify countries polio free by the end of 2027.
2. To stop the transmission of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 by the end of 2026 and prevent outbreaks in polio-free regions.
A generation ago, poliomyelitis was a feared disease. paralysing hundreds of thousands of children every year. Most countries have now eliminated the disease, and our generation is close to eradicating it entirely. Something Rotarians can be proud of.
We would encourage all Rotarians to consider making a tax deductable donation to End Polio Now and/or become a member of the Polio Plus Society.
Few realise that the Rotary Polio Eradication program was the ‘brainchild’ of Sir Clem Renouf, an Australian and former RI President. An interview with Sir Clem in 2015 can be viewed on YouTube.
Details on how to make a donation and/or become a member of the Polio Plus Society can be found on the following link:
https://www.9810rotary.org.au/page/the-rotary-foundation
To date, 16 clubs have donated more than $1,000 US to End Polio Now.
Thank you
David Grieve – District 9815 Polio Co-ordinator
