End Polio Now
The Rotary Club of Douglas FNQ is proud to support Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign. While polio has been eliminated from Australia, Rotary members across Far North Queensland continue to raise awareness and funds to help eradicate this devastating disease worldwide. Every child deserves a future free from polio.
Together, We Can End Polio Forever
For more than 40 years, Rotary has been leading one of the world’s largest and most successful public health campaigns – the fight to eradicate polio.
Polio is a devastating disease that once paralysed hundreds of thousands of children every year. Thanks to the commitment of Rotary members, global health organisations, governments and millions of volunteers, we are closer than ever to achieving a world free of polio.
The Rotary Club of Douglas FNQ proudly supports Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign and the global effort to ensure no child ever suffers from this preventable disease again.
What is Polio?
Poliomyelitis (polio) is a highly infectious viral disease that primarily affects children under the age of five.
The virus attacks the nervous system and can cause permanent paralysis within hours. In severe cases, polio affects the muscles used for breathing and can be fatal.
There is no cure for polio, but it is entirely preventable through safe and effective vaccination.
Rotary's PolioPlus Program
In 1985, Rotary launched PolioPlus, becoming the first organisation to commit to the global eradication of polio.
Since then, Rotary has:
- Contributed more than US$2.9 billion to the eradication effort
- Helped vaccinate more than 3 billion children
- Mobilised thousands of volunteers across the globe
- Raised awareness through education, advocacy and fundraising
- Continued to support vaccination campaigns in the world’s most vulnerable communities
Rotary’s commitment remains unwavering until polio is eradicated everywhere.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative
Rotary is a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), working alongside:
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- UNICEF
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
- National governments and local health agencies
Together, these organisations coordinate vaccination campaigns, disease surveillance, laboratory testing and rapid outbreak response across the globe.
Where Does Polio Still Exist?
Thanks to decades of global cooperation, wild poliovirus now remains endemic in only Afghanistan and Pakistan.
While tremendous progress has been made, the virus can still spread wherever immunisation rates fall.
Until polio is eradicated everywhere, children in every country remain at risk.
Why We Must Finish the Job
The final stages of eradication are the most challenging.
Vaccination teams often work in remote communities, conflict zones and areas with limited healthcare infrastructure. Political instability, misinformation and difficult terrain all create obstacles to reaching every child.
If eradication efforts stop too soon, polio could once again spread internationally.
That’s why Rotary continues to invest in vaccination, education and surveillance to ensure the disease is eliminated forever.
Every Donation Makes an Even Bigger Difference
One of Rotary’s strongest partnerships is with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The Foundation continues to match Rotary’s contributions 2-to-1, significantly increasing the impact of every dollar raised.
Donate to End Polio Now
- 🌏 99.9% Reduction in wild polio cases since 1988
- 👶 3+ Billion Children vaccinated worldwide
- 🤝 US$2.9+ Billion contributed by Rotary
- ❤️ 40+ Years of Rotary leadership
- 📍 Only Two Countries where wild poliovirus remains endemic
These funds help provide:
- Vaccines for children
- Medical and frontline health workers
- Disease surveillance
- Laboratory equipment
- Community education
- Emergency outbreak response
Rotary Members in Action
Every year, Rotary members volunteer their time and expertise to support vaccination campaigns around the world.
They help by:
- Vaccinating children
- Supporting local health workers
- Raising funds
- Educating communities
- Transporting vaccines and medical supplies
- Building public awareness through local events and campaigns
Closer to home, Rotary clubs across Australia proudly support End Polio Now through fundraising activities, community events and World Polio Day initiatives.
End Polio Now
For more than four decades, Rotary has demonstrated that determined people working together can change the world.
We’re closer than ever to ending polio forever—but until every child is protected, our work continues.
Join Rotary. Support End Polio Now. Together, we can make history.
Interested in making a difference?
The Rotary Club of Douglas FNQ welcomes new members who are passionate about serving their local community while contributing to life-changing projects around the world. If you’d like to learn more about Rotary or attend a meeting, we’d love to hear from you.
Learn more about Our Club Projects such as RYDA