When I first learned this week that the global polio eradication campaign was temporarily paused and that some activities including vaccination campaigns were on hold during the COVID-19 crisis, my heart sank and I heard myself say “Oh no!”

The End Polio Now campaign is the signature global project for Rotary International as well as for Rotary Clubs across the world.  More importantly, we made a promise to the children of the world that we would eradicate this dreaded, crippling disease.  We were working our way toward the end but knew the last mile would be the most difficult.  Then the coronavirus pandemic intervened.  The world is still “this close” to ending polio even though the last mile is likely to be a bit longer.  Not all is lost. . .far from it.

Rotary International, WHO and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative assure us that they are still working but in a different way.  They are using skills and systems built during the polio campaign such as health infrastructure, community workers and scientific developments to address the coronavirus pandemic while not forgetting polio.  The solid base that you have helped create through the End Polio Now campaign is still in place. It is being re-purposed to address the challenges of COVID-19.  If you would like to read more:

Click here to open End Polio Now

Click here to view the letter from the Global Polio Eradication Initiative

– Submitted by Rosemarie Rowney