POLIOPLUS• In 1985, Rotary began the PolioPlus Programme.• At the time there were 1,000 cases of polio per day

equalling about 350,000 per annum.• Since the PolioPlus program's inception:

– More than 2,000,000,000 children have received oral polio vaccine;

– Which has prevented more than 5,000,000 cases of paralysis; AND

– Prevented 250,000 paediatric deaths.• But Rotary's work is incomplete as the disease has not yet

been eradicated. – Today Polio is endemic in limited locations within four

countries:• Nigeria, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan

 Four key strategies for stopping poliovirus transmission:1. Routine immunization 

High infant-immunization coverage with four doses of oral polio vaccine (OPV) in the first year of life is critical. Routine immunization is essential because it’s the primary way that polio-free countries protect their children from the threat of imported polio.

2. National Immunization Days For decades, Rotary’s PolioPlus program has been one of the driving forces during National Immunization Days, or NIDs.

a. Rotarians are involved in myriad ways before, during, and after an NID, by providing funds for millions of drops of vaccine, promoting upcoming campaigns in the community, distributing vaccine to local health centers, serving as monitors, working with local officials to reach every child, and participating in surveillance efforts.

3. Surveillance Rotarians play an important role in working with health workers, paediatricians, and others to find, report, and investigate cases of acute flaccid paralysis in timely manner (ideally within 48 hours of onset).

a) PolioPlus sometimes helps fund containers that preserve the integrity of stool samples during transport to laboratories. The program has also played a leading role in providing equipment for the global poliovirus laboratory.

4. Targeted mop-up campaigns Rotary’s support of mop-up campaigns is similar to NID volunteering, but on a smaller, often “house-to-house,” scale.

Vaccines1. The most common form of the vaccine used in

the past has been the Trivalent Vaccine.2. This provided broad protection against all

three types of Polio.3. However recently a Bivalent vaccine (Type 1

and 3) has been developed which is superior to the past Trivalent vaccine.

4. The Bivalent vaccine is being used strategically in areas where both types are prevalent and is proving a very successful tool and showing dramatic results.

Rotary’s Polio Partners1. Polio Eradication Partnership

a) World Health Organisationb) United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)c) US Centres for Disease Control (CDC)

2. The partnership was formed in 1988 when the 169 member states of the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution to eradicate polio globally.

3. Rotary’s role in the initiative is the PolioPlus  program and related activities.

4. PolioPlus is also supported by world leaders, for example:a) The UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has helped the cause by

participating in a National Immunisation Day helping administrate the Polio vaccine as well as helping to negotiate “Days of Tranquility” in war zones to allow the immunisation programme to proceed.

Rotary's US$200 Million Challenge1. To help complete the work

of the PolioPlus programme and finally eradicate Polio the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation put a challenge to Rotary by offering two polio eradication grants totalling US$355 million if Rotary raised the balance needed.

2. Rotary's US$200 Million Challenge is the Rotary Foundation's response to this challenge.

3. Every dollar given to PolioPlus counts toward the $200 million match, which must be completed by 30 June 2012.

MOST RECENT FUNDRAISING PROGRESS REPORT:• As of 30 April 2010, Rotarians have raised about US$122.4

million for Rotary's US$200 Million Challenge.

• These contributions will help Rotary to match $355 million in challenge grants received from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

• The resulting total of $555 million will directly support immunization campaigns in developing countries, where polio continues to infect and paralyze children, robbing them of their futures and compounding the hardships faced by their families.

• As long as polio threatens even one child anywhere in the world, children everywhere remain at risk.

Global Polio Eradication Initiative Latest Update:

Total cases Year-to-date 2010

Year-to-date 2009

Total in 2009

Globally 146 416 1604

in endemic countries: 49 302 1256

in non-endemic countries:

97 114 348Outbreak and response in Tajikistan•24 new cases from the western region of Tajikistan have been laboratory confirmed, bringing the total number of cases for 2010 to 56. The country continues to record a large spike in acute flaccid paralysis cases among infant children. These cases are methodically being tested, and a further increase in poliovirus case numbers can be expected.•Tajikistan began its emergency outbreak response on 1 May, with NIDs immunizing 1.1 million children under six. Preliminary reports suggest that the immunization activity was of a reasonable standard.•At least two immunization activities are also being planned for neighboring Uzbekistan, immunizing 1.9 million children from 15 May, and from 1 June. Kyrgyzstan is expected to conduct two SNIDs in May/June, focusing on the areas bordering Tajikistan.

Polio in Endemic countries as at 12 May 2010:India - cases on the decline

One new case was reported in the past week - a WPV3 case in Ferozabad - the first case reported in the country for eight weeks. This is the most recent case, with onset of paralysis on 21 April.The total number of cases for 2010 is 20 (three WPV1 and 17 WPV3), compared to 40 at the same time last year (14 WPV1 and 26 WPV3).

Nigeria – cases on the declineOne new case was reported in the past week, a WPV1 case in Dange/Shuni, Sokoto. This is the most recent case, with onset of paralysis on 18 April. Sequencing data is currently being evaluated to determine the origin of the case.The total number of cases for 2010 is three (1 WPV1 and 2 WPV3s), compared with 243 cases at this time last year (64 WPV1, 178 WPV3 and one type-1/type-3 co-infection).

*Professor Christian Onyebuchi Chukwu has been confirmed as the new Minister of Health. During his address to the Senate, Professor Chukwu, an orthopaedic surgeon from Ebonyi State and an active Rotarian, committed to stopping polio transmission within 14 months.

Pakistan Three new cases were reported in the past week, two WPV1s in NWFP, and a WPV3 in Balochistan. The WPV1 case in Lakki Marwat, NWFP, is the most recent in the country, with onset of paralysis on 24 April.The total number of cases for 2010 is 18 (seven WPV1s and 11 WPV3s), compared with 12 cases at this time last year (six WPV1 and six WPV3).

Afghanistan No new cases were reported in the past week. The total number of cases for 2010 is eight (one WPV1 and seven WPV3s), compared with seven cases at this time last year (all WPV1). The most recent case (Nangarhar Province) had onset of paralysis on 8 April.

THE GOAL - A world free from polio• Fundraising Goal:–US$200 million by 30 June 2012

• Where we are now: –US$122.4 million

• Great progress, solet’s finally

END POLIO NOW!

• Information for this presentation is taken from information provided by Rotary International.

Video

“The Final Inch”

In the fight to eliminate Polio, the last step is the

biggest.

END POLIO NOW CAMPAIGN

Challenge Grant Fundraising IdeasSome ideas that have been successful for Rotary clubs and

districts: 

• Organize a purple pinkie project: Millions of children in polio-endemic countries know that a freshly marked purple pinkie means freedom from the disease. When members of your community make a small contribution to PolioPlus, have Rotarian volunteers mark their pinkies with the same dye used on National Immunization Days around the world. The purple pinkie will serve as a personal symbol of helping one child become free from polio forever.

• Celebrate a big day: Rather than exchanging gifts for a special occasion, request that friends and family contribute to the challenge. 

• Hold a raffle: Raffle off a car, a seven-night cruise, or four tickets to a local event, such as a basketball game or concert. Also consider holding weekly raffles with prizes from area restaurants or businesses.

• Skip a meal: Skip the meal at your club meeting and donate the cost to The Rotary Foundation to help eradicate polio. 

• Host a Rotary night: Work with your local basketball league to host a Rotary night at a ball game. Teams could help Rotary by a “shoot out for polio.” Auction off a chance get a shirt signed by the team, shoot a half/full court shot, and set up a booth at the game with information on Rotary and the challenge grant. 

• Organize a walkathon, bike-a-thon, or skate-a-thon: Have Rotarians, Rotary Fellowships, athletic groups, and other community members solicit pledges for the distance they walk, pedal, or skate. 

• Coordinate an online auction: Ask Rotarians, friends, and family to search their homes for items they wish to give away, including clothing, jewellery, furniture, and housewares. • Collect the goods, and list them for auction on trademe.

• Plan a special event: Dinners, festivals, picnics, wine tastings, and sports competitions can all draw contributions from Rotarians and other community members.  

• Sell a product: CDs, cookbooks, ties, teddy bears, and mugs are just a few of the items that have been sold to raise funds for PolioPlus.  

• Hold a white elephant auction: After the holidays, ask club members to donate gifts they do not want or need. Auction these items at a club or district meeting to raise money for polio eradication.

• Collect coins for polio: Ask Rotarians, friends, and families to place coin collection cans or boxes in local businesses, schools, and homes. Donate the proceeds to the polio eradication effort.

• Coordinate a movie night: Work with local cinemas to organize a movie night in which all or part of the proceeds from admission benefit PolioPlus. Publicize the event in the newspaper, on the radio, and in all area Rotary clubs, and encourage everyone in the community to attend.

• Host a million dollar dinner: Arrange a dinner with a district governor, Rotary senior leader, or local celebrity. Invite guests who can make a significant gift to Rotary’s polio eradication effort.  

A Project Approach:How Australia has raised awareness

and funds to HELP END POLIO.

Australia Begins “Schools Ending Polio” Campaign

• Zone 8 - Australia unleashed their “Schools Ending Polio” Campaign last month.

• The campaign included a media package sent to 10,000 primary and secondary schools across Australia.

• It is a great opportunity to spread the Polio message to the younger generation of over 4 million students in Australian schools as well as raise awareness of Rotary within the community.

From Concept to Plan:• The Public Image Resource Coordinator for the

Zone, Dick Garner, had an idea on how Rotary could spread the message of polio awareness through Australia’s schools.

• He approached the top rating Channel 9 TV news presenter in Melbourne, Peter Hitchener, about his idea and Peter, a supporter of Rotary, agreed to assist in the project.

• This led to a TV style newscast on Polio for schools by school students.

From Plan to Support to Action:• A primary and secondary school Principal

were approached; each agreed to have their schools take part and for students from their schools to be the news presenters.

• Presenters were chosen by the Principals, scripts distributed and the film studio booked.

• Primary and secondary school editions of the newscasts were filmed. In both, Peter acted as a news anchor and briefly introduces his two “junior” reporters who go on to present their own news items on polio.

From Support to Execution:• The finished DVD includes:

– Both the primary and secondary schools newscasts;– A quiz/teaching module based on the newscast content;– A Polio poster;– A copy of the comic book “The Polio Story”;– Information on Rotary youth programs; and – An invitation to find out more about Rotary membership.

• A mailer was designed and printed to hold a covering letter and the DVD. – Each mailer is decorated with Polio and Rotary images

and is posted direct to the schools.– Rotary clubs are advised of the project and are asked to

liaise with their local schools to confirm they had received the mailing.

From Action to Results:•  Schools are encouraged to have an “End Polio Now”

casual dress day and to collect change for Polio. • On the designated “End Polio Now” casual day,

teachers are encouraged to show the DVD and discuss it with the students accompanied by an activity related to Polio.

• Dick Garner recognised the fund raising opportunity: – “If we could get 25% of the students to donate $1.00 we would raise $1

million dollars.”

• The campaign also helps school teachers, the younger generation and their parents to learn more about Rotary International and the work of the Rotary Foundation.

• With all proceeds donated to the Gates US$200 Million Challenge.

Video

“School’s Ending Polio” Campaign

District 9940 Polio Plus Project

“Pinkies for Polio”

Presented by Leanne CampbellPresident – The Rotary Club of Hutt Valley