Welcome
Rotary International launched a global effort to immunize the world’s children against polio in 1985 followed by the establishment of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988. When the GPEI started, polio paralyzed more than 1000 children worldwide every day. Since then, more than 2.5 billion children have been immunized against polio thanks to the cooperation of more than 200 countries and 20 million volunteers.
Today, wild poliovirus continues to circulate in only two countries, and global incidence of polio cases has decreased by 99%. There has also been success in eradicating certain strains of the virus; of the three types of wild polioviruses (WPVs), the last case of type 2 was reported in 1999 and its eradication was declared in September 2015; the most recent case of type 3 dates to November 2012 and this strain was declared as globally eradicated in October 2019.
Goal 1: Permanently stop all wild poliovirus transmission in Pakistan and Afghanistan Polio eradication is not a linear process. In recent years, the polio programs in Pakistan and Afghanistan have both brought cases of the virus to historic lows, even interrupting transmission for short periods, yet 2024 saw a resurgence of the virus with 99 cases of WPV1 reported (74 in Pakistan and 25 in Afghanistan). This epidemiological reality is a reminder that the fight against polio is not over until the virus is completely wiped out, in every country.
HISTORICAL TIMELINE:
1955
Dr Jonas Salk develops the first vaccine against polio –an injectable, inactivated (killed) polio vaccine (IPV)
Dr Jonas Salk develops the first vaccine against polio –an injectable, inactivated (killed) polio vaccine (IPV)
1961
Dr Albert Sabin develops a “live” oral vaccine against polio (OPV), which rapidly becomes the vaccine of choice for most national immunization programs in the world.
Dr Albert Sabin develops a “live” oral vaccine against polio (OPV), which rapidly becomes the vaccine of choice for most national immunization programs in the world.
Yes, both Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin, pioneers in polio vaccine development, tested their vaccines on themselves and their families.
Vaccines for polio, typhus, AIDS that Jonas Salk and others provided. Jonas Salk: In 1953, Salk, alongside his family and laboratory staff, tested his "killed virus" polio vaccine. He also tested it on a small group of children who had previously recovered from polio. Albert Sabin who developed a live, attenuated oral polio vaccine, also tested it on himself, his family, and even research associates and prisoners.
Vaccines for polio, typhus, AIDS that Jonas Salk and others provided. Jonas Salk: In 1953, Salk, alongside his family and laboratory staff, tested his "killed virus" polio vaccine. He also tested it on a small group of children who had previously recovered from polio. Albert Sabin who developed a live, attenuated oral polio vaccine, also tested it on himself, his family, and even research associates and prisoners.
1985
Rotary International launches PolioPlus, the first and largest internationally coordinated private-sector support of a public health intitiative, with an initial pledge of US $120 million
Rotary International launches PolioPlus, the first and largest internationally coordinated private-sector support of a public health intitiative, with an initial pledge of US $120 million
1991
The last case of wild polio occurs in the WHO region of the Americas.
The last case of wild polio occurs in the WHO region of the Americas.
1994
The WHO region of the Americas is certified polio-free. In China, 80 million children are vaccinated
The WHO region of the Americas is certified polio-free. In China, 80 million children are vaccinated
1997
The last case of wild polio occurs in the WHO Western Pacific Region.
The last case of wild polio occurs in the WHO Western Pacific Region.
2000
The WHO Western Pacific Region is certified polio free. A record 550 million children –almost one-tenth of the world’ s population –receive the oral polio vaccine.
The WHO Western Pacific Region is certified polio free. A record 550 million children –almost one-tenth of the world’ s population –receive the oral polio vaccine.
2002
The WHO European region is certified polio-free. 500 million children are vaccinated in 100 countries.
The WHO European region is certified polio-free. 500 million children are vaccinated in 100 countries.
2011
The last case of wild poliovirus is reported in India
The last case of wild poliovirus is reported in India
2012
The last case of wild poliovirus type 3 is recorded in Nigeria in November
The last case of wild poliovirus type 3 is recorded in Nigeria in November
2014
The WHO Region of South-East Asia is declared polio free by the World Health Organization
The WHO Region of South-East Asia is declared polio free by the World Health Organization
2025
In collaboration with national governments, thousands of polio vaccinators, health workers and community mobilizers reach more than 370 million children every year in more than 40 countries with over 1 billion doses of polio vaccines
In collaboration with national governments, thousands of polio vaccinators, health workers and community mobilizers reach more than 370 million children every year in more than 40 countries with over 1 billion doses of polio vaccines
A Unique Partnership to End Polio
The GPEI is a public-private partnership led by national governments with six core partners – the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF, the Gates Foundation and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. This coalition unites health workers, governments, donors and global leaders behind the vision of a world where children are forever safe from the threat of polio.
