International Polio Eradication Program

Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years. It is one of our longest standing and most significant global projects. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever.

As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, we've reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent since our first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979. Today, polio remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Rotary members have contributed more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease. If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year. Cork Bishopstown Rotary Club has supported this project by raising awareness, providing financial support and volunteering for National Immunisation Days and will continue to do so for as long as necessary.