JUST two drops of Oral Polio Vaccine on every child’s tongue, to be immunized against polio, will save thousands of lives and immeasurable suffering.
Today, October 24 is World Polio Day, recognized worldwide to bring awareness to this dreadful debilitating disease.
Polio was rife throughout much of the world and many older people will remember what a horrendous impact it had on lives, and the fear and devastation it caused.
According to a release issued by Rotary South Africa, the country during 1988 was certified polio-free, but in August 2019 that certification was withdrawn.
“Although there have been no cases reported, the country is at risk because only 75% of children are being properly immunized,” the release stated.
“To immunize every child under the age of 5 is hugely expensive, but it isn’t because the funding has not been available. Rotary and its partners have made sure that that isn’t the case worldwide by ensuring the billions of Rand required have been there.”
When Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative more than three decades ago, polio paralyzed 1 000 children every day.
“We’ve made great progress against the disease since then. Polio cases have dropped by 99.9 percent, from 350 000 cases in 1988 in 125 countries to 33 cases of wild polio virus in 2018 in just two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. And we remain committed to the end.”
With polio nearly eradicated, Rotary and its partners must sustain this progress and continue to reach every child with the polio vaccine. Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk.
“We still need your help by popping a few coins into the many collection boxes around town in supermarkets and shops, but just as importantly, spreading the word as widely as possible, that all children under 5 must be properly vaccinated,” said Clive Hassell from the Rotary Club of Uitenhage South.
