PolioPlus's strategies have evolved since the project's inception. Initially, Rotary served as a catalyst, providing money for volunteer support to overcome problems associated with distribution of the vaccine. A Rotary Foundation grant funded a core group of polio experts at the World Health Organization (WHO), who have guided the global programme. In recent years, PolioPlus has covered transportation and other operational costs associated with vaccine delivery, surveillance efforts (including laboratory needs) to identify areas where the virus circulates, and training for healthcare workers and volunteers involved in the immunisation process.

To facilitate these strategies, Rotary engages in fundraising activities. The Polio Eradication Fundraising Campaign relies on printed materials that are available for download by clicking here. In 1995, Rotary launched a task force to advocate polio eradication to donor governments, which resulted in more than US$1.5 billion in polio-specific grants. In 2000, Rotary teamed up with the United Nations Foundation to carry a financial appeal to the private sector, which contributed more than US$100 million. In addition, local Rotary clubs members were encouraged to conduct small fundraisers, like asking their fellow club members to abstain from food at weekly meetings, donating money saved to the eradication campaign.

Volunteerism is a key strategy. Worldwide, 10 million Rotarians have delivered the vaccine by camels and helicopters, trucks, and motorbikes; staffed immunisation posts; and worked in various ways to raise community awareness of the value of immunisation. National Immunization Days highlight volunteer involvement and support. For example, in 2001 a delegation led by actress Mia Farrow (a UNICEF special representative and polio survivor) joined thousands of health professionals, Rotarians, and other volunteers in 3 days of immunisation activities reaching an estimated 40 million Nigerian children. In addition, Rotary volunteers from the United States and Japan joined Rotary club members in India to administer the polio vaccine to more than 150 million children throughout the country in a single day.

Finally, PolioPlus engages in public sector advocacy. Rotary members engage in various activities to encourage national governments and others to commit financial and technical assistance to eradication. For example, members communicate with funding sources in potential donor nations, urge leaders in polio-endemic countries to maintain high levels of routine immunisation against polio and all vaccine-preventable diseases, and inform the general public about the benefits of polio eradication. To support these efforts, the Polio Eradication Champion award was established in 1995 to honour heads of state, health agency leaders, and others who have made a significant contribution to the global eradication of polio.

Looking ahead, the major elements for 2002-2005 include: intensification of National Immunization Days and mop-up campaigns (including house-to-house immunisation); surveillance and certification; containment of laboratory stocks; strengthening of routine immunisation; and building a consensus strategy for stopping polio immunisation.

Children, Health, Immunisation and Vaccines.

Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. Initial symptoms are fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiffness in the neck and pain in the limbs. The disease can cause paralysis, which is almost always irreversible. In the most severe cases, polio paralysis can lead to death by asphyxiation.

Rotary's involvement in polio eradication began in 1979 with a 5-year commitment to provide and help deliver polio vaccine to 6 million children in the Philippines. In the following years, similar 5-year commitments were approved for Haiti, Bolivia, Morocco, Sierra Leone, and Cambodia. In the early 1980s, Rotary began efforts to immunise all of world's children against polio. Rotary's pledge of US$120 million to fund the PolioPlus programme was announced in October 1985 at the 40th anniversary of the United Nations. Within 3 years, Rotarians had more than doubled their fundraising goal, donating US$247 million. By 2005, Rotary's financial commitment is expected to exceed half a billion dollars.

Since 1988, when the World Health Assembly challenged the world to eradicate polio, Rotary's efforts and those of partner agencies have achieved a 99% reduction in the number of polio cases worldwide.

Rotary is an organisation of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. In 166 countries worldwide, approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 30,000 Rotary clubs.