Rotary Corner: Why the fight to eradicate Polio will continue

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World Polio Day took place on 24 October, writes Rotarian Cliv Doubleday.

Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for nearly 40 years. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever. We have reduced polio cases by 99.9% since our first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979.

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Rotary members have contributed more than $2.5 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly three billion children in 122 countries from this paralysing disease.

Today polio remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan with just 33 cases. However, this is an increase on the 12 cases in 2023. Due to the conflict in Gaza, there have been a number of polio cases detected and over 600,000 are being vaccinated. It is crucial to continue the fight against this paralysing disease in order that it does not rear its ugly head again in more countries.

Peterborough Cathedral lit up purple for World Polio DayPeterborough Cathedral lit up purple for World Polio Day
Peterborough Cathedral lit up purple for World Polio Day

It is estimated that if all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years polio could paralyse as many as 200,000 children each year.

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The annual cost to protect a child from polio is approximately £2.48 (less than the price of a cup of coffee).

The Rotary Club of Peterborough Ortons held their annual Flight For Life virtual pigeon race which raised over £800 to support polio eradication, in order for Rotary’s campaign to reach more children and protect them from this disease.

Local Rotary clubs throughout our district are highlighting the need to end polio now by planting purple crocus bulbs in notable places, as well as illuminating significant buildings in a purple light.

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Purple crocuses have been planted over the years at Peterborough Cathedral and Thorpe Hall Hospice in Longthorpe.

The reason the colour is purple is because when a child is immunised with the polio vaccine, their small finger is painted purple to show that they have received the life-saving vaccine.

If you would like to donate towards End Polio Now, go to www.rotarygbi.org.