We Are "This Close" to Ending Polio: Thank You Rotary!

By T. R. Shaw Jr.

            If you’re a certain age, born in mid-20^th Century, you might have heard of polio from your grandparents or maybe even know someone who suffered from the crippling childhood disease.

            If you were born in this century, it’s likely you’ve never heard of it.  Be grateful!

            Poliomyelitis (Polio) is a paralyzing and potentially fatal virus that plagued the 20^th Century and still threatens children under five in some parts of the world.  It disabled Franklin D. Roosevelt and many other Americans of that era. 

The good news is, polio is about to become the second pandemic virus that has been eradicated from the face of the Earth.  In 1947, Dr. Jonas Salk, a physician who turned researcher and immunologist, developed a vaccine to prevent polio with the help of the Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.

Salk, was hailed a hero in 1955 when news of the vaccines’ success was made public.  Salk deemed it a “moral commitment” to immunize all children, and advocated an aggressive immunization campaign in the U.S. and around the world.  He refused to pursue personal profit and a patent for his discovery, believing public health was a greater concern.  When asked, he stated, “There is no patent…could you patent the Sun?”

Generations from the 1960’s on, grew up with vaccinations, and without the threat, or fear of polio.  Gone were leg braces, iron lungs, social embarrassment and isolation.  The disease became a relic of another era.  In a brief time, polio was eradicated in the United States thanks to Salk’s vaccine, aggressive administration, and his generosity with the cure.

Polio has continued to be pandemic in the rest of the world, especially in developing countries with little or no healthcare.  The problem is not a cure, but distribution and vaccination. 

This is where Rotary comes into the picture.

In 1985 Rotary International launched its Polio Plus program to rid the world of polio through mass vaccination of children.  From that time forward, Rotarians have traveled throughout the world sponsoring polio days and administering vaccinations to children in some of the most remote places on Earth.  It’s simply two drops on the tongue.  The battle was just getting it there. In some parts of the world, cease fires took place in Waring nations to allow citizens to get immunized.  Lines at some stations stretched for miles and it was common for women to carry their children 10 miles or more just to get to a vaccination.

Today, polio exists in only three nations on Earth; Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan.  Only 22 cases were confirmed worldwide in 2017, a reduction of 99.9 percent since the 1980’s when the world saw more than 1,000 cases daily.  The remaining cases are the most difficult to prevent due to geographic isolation, poor pubic infrastructure, armed conflict and cultural barriers.  Until it is completely eradicated, all nations are still at risk.

Immunized children show off their
Purple Pinkies

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative, formed in 1988, is a public-private partnership which includes Rotary, The World Health Organization, U.S. Center for Disease Control, UNICEF, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  Rotary’s focus is advocacy, fundraising, volunteer recruitment, administration and awareness.  Rotary has also contributed more than $1.8 billion raised by Rotarians in the 33,000 clubs worldwide.  Rotary’s Advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by donor governments to contribute more than $7.2 billion to the eradication effort.

Rotary has had an ongoing “This Close” campaign with a growing roster of public figures helping to raise awareness, including Bill Gates, John Cena, Jackie Chan, Queen Noor, Bishop Desmond Tutu and Jack Nicklaus to name a few.  These ambassadors help educate the public about polio through public service announcements, social media and public appearances.

Rotary plans to recognize World Polio Day on October 24 to raise awareness of the organization’s efforts and make the final push towards total worldwide eradication.  Many Rotarians may have a “purple pinkie”, a purple fingernail which might raise curiosity.  The purple pinkie campaign reflects the fact that once a child has been immunized, their pinkie is dipped in purple ink as a way of marking their immunization.

Rotary is counting down to History and hopes to end this disease in the very near future.  We are “This Close” to that day!

If you would like to contribute to Rotary’s Polio Campaign, visit www.endpolio.org or www.rotary.org for more information.

T. R. Shaw Jr. is CEO of Shaw Communication in Battle Creek, a past president of the Cereal City Sunrise Rotary Club, and a Paul Harris Fellow.  He is also Public Image Chairman for Rotary’s District 6360 and is a contributor to Polio Plus.