THE ROTARY CLUB OF BANBRIDGE
Our thanks go to Tecso, Banbridge customers who contributed to
our Saturday 27 February collection day. You helped us to raise £544 on the
day, and this money will add to the takings across the British Isles to help the
fight against Polio.
We are indeed indebted to Tescos who have
committed heavily to support the Rotary International and partners worldwide
effort to eradicate this disease. Already the computer Microsoft giant Bill
Gates and his wife Melinda have contributed $355 million dollars to the cause
(he has referred to the Polio Eradication project as Humanity's Greatest
Accomplishment), and Rotarians have raised over $750 million.
Your contributions might just finish the job!
Polio Eradication
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What is Rotary International’s number one Strategic
Goal?
A. Polio Eradication
Q. Is it possible to eradicate a disease?
A. Yes, Smallpox was eradicated in 1980
Q. When did Rotary become involved in polio eradication?
A. Having funded a pilot programme in the Philippines in 1979
in which 5 million children were immunised, Rotary
International launched PolioPlus in 1985.
Q. What is the "Plus" in PolioPlus?
A. As well Polio, children are immunised against Measles,
Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Diphtheria & Tetanus
Q. Why does Rotary receive little mention in the press when
Polio eradication is featured?
The press tend to refer to G.P.E.I. (not polioPlus) when discussing polio eradication, W.H.O. being the major and best-known player.
Q. Are we making progress?
A. Most certainly! In 1985, there were 125 polio-endemic countries and over 1,000 new cases of polio were confirmed every day.
Today, only 4 Polio-endemic countries remain (India, Pakistan, Afghanistan & Nigeria) and, in 2008, only 1,652 new cases of Polio were confirmed – a 99.5% reduction
Q. What are non-endemic countries?
A. There are 15 countries, neighbouring the 4 endemic countries, in which Polio cases have been recorded but, in every case, the polio infection can be traced back directly to one of the 4 endemic countries.
Q. How much money has Rotary contributed to Polio eradication?
A. To date, aside from inestimable hands-on input, Rotary has committed over US$757, 000,000 which equates to approximately 12-14% of the total spent.
Q. What are National Immunisation Days (N.I.D.S.)?
A. The aim of mass campaigns like N.I.D.s is to interrupt circulation of poliovirus by immunizing every child under 5 years of age twice, regardless of previous immunization status.
In 2003, 415 million children under five years were immunized during National Immunization Days in 55 countries using over 2.2 billion doses of oral polio vaccine.
Q. Do we have any other options?
A. No. Containment doesn’t work - between 2003-05, 25 countries that had been certified Polio-free were re-infected. If we simply stop at this point, all our work will have been for nothing and it is estimated that, within 40 years, 10 million new cases of polio will be recorded.
Q. Where can I get more information about Polio Eradication?
A. Try
www.polioeradication.org for up to date information.Q. Will this thing ever end?
A. Yes, when the last child has been immunised and every country has been certified Polio-free. Not before!