The Connection Between Rotary’s End Polio Now Initiative and The Rotary Foundation

Image Credit: Rotarian, Debbie Vance

The Rotary Foundation, through its flagship PolioPlus program, leads the global fight to eradicate polio as a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). Since 1985, Rotary has committed billions of dollars and countless volunteer hours to vaccinate children worldwide, helping reduce polio cases by more than 99.9%.

Working alongside partners such as the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the Gates Foundation, Rotary continues efforts to eliminate polio in the last remaining endemic countries—Pakistan and Afghanistan. These partnerships strengthen vaccination campaigns and global surveillance efforts.

Rotary’s role extends beyond funding to include advocacy and grassroots community mobilization. Through its global network of members, Rotary transforms local action into worldwide public health impact, with many donations matched by the Gates Foundation to further accelerate eradication efforts.

World Polio Day is celebrated annually on October 24th.

Learn more: https://www.rotary.org/en/our-causes/ending-polio🔗

Club members and District visitors rocking their #ENDPOLIONOW merch

at the October 24, 2025, meeting.

"World Polio Day is observed on October 24, 2023, to commemorate the immunization of over three billion children worldwide against the polio virus. Rotary International, along with its core partners and 20 million volunteers operating across 200 countries, has worked tirelessly to reduce the global incidence of polio cases by 99 percent. Their efforts have brought the world to the brink of eradicating the disease. Local Rotarians from across the county joined commissioners at Tuesday's Board meeting to accept the proclamation." 

Source: https://www.facebook.com/RCOPSunrise🔗

"Our Commissioners officially proclaimed October 24, 2025, World Polio Day, a powerful reminder of the global commitment to end polio for good. Local members of Rotary District 6970 joined the ceremony, honoring efforts to eradicate this preventable disease. Together, we raise awareness, inspire action, and move closer to a polio-free world. #WorldPolioDay #EndPolioNow #RotaryInternational." 

Source: https://www.facebook.com/RCOPSunrise🔗

"We are proud of our Interact Clubs support for World Polio Day! Ridgeview High School had Interact students at every lunch and they passed out ribbons, candy, and spread awareness among the student body. While St. Johns Classical Academy Interact Club showed a Rotary End Polio video at all the lunch times to raise awareness #EndPolioNow."