PolioPlus, the most ambitious program in Rotary’s history, is the volunteer arm of the global partnership dedicated to eradicating polio. For more than 20 years, Rotary has led the private sector in the global effort to rid the world of this crippling disease. Today, PolioPlus and its role in the initiative is recognized worldwide as a model of public-private cooperation in pursuit of a humanitarian goal.

In addition to providing financial and volunteer support, Rotary works to urge support from other public and private sector partners. This includes the campaign to End Polio Now, inspired by the extraordinary challenge grants received from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Dr. Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organization, announced during a press conference at the 2008 RI Convention that polio eradication is now WHO's top priority. Rotary Images/Monika Lee

Global Polio Eradication Initiative spearheading partners

Rotary International
Through its PolioPlus program, established in 1985, more than one million Rotary club members have volunteered their time and personal resources to protect more than two billion children in 122 countries from polio. To date, the organization has contributed more than US$700 million -- a figure that will rise to more than $850 million by the time the world is certified free from polio. Rotary club members, known as Rotarians, also provide valuable support in the field during National Immunization Days and work diligently to secure essential political and financial support from both polio-free and polio affected governments.

World Health Organization
WHO, through its headquarters, regional and country offices, provides the overall technical direction and strategic planning for the management and coordination of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The Atlanta-based CDC deploys epidemiologists, public health experts, and scientists to WHO and UNICEF. CDC also works as the "viral detective" of the four partners, using its state-of-the-art virological surveillance expertise (genetic fingerprinting) to investigate outbreaks of polio, identify the strain of poliovirus involved and pinpoint its exact geographical origin.

UNICEF
UNICEF procures and distributes polio vaccines for routine and supplementary immunizations. UNICEF participates, along with WHO, in the implementation of intensified National Immunization Days and Subnational Immunization Days, as well as mop-up campaigns at the country level.