Polio Plus - Help Eradicate Polio
Overview
Decades ago, polio outbreaks were a constant threat around the world.
In 1980s, the disease infected 1,000 children every day in 125 countries. Today, polio cases have declined by 99 percent, with fewer than three hundred cases reported in 2013.
Since the PolioPlus program’s inception in 1985, more than two billion children have received oral polio vaccine. Five million children have been spared disability and over 250,000 deaths from polio have been prevented.
How can we all help?
- Participate in District 5300 polio awareness and fundraising events. Like this Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rotary-District-5300-5330-End-Polio-Now-Events/1444261952507725
- Keep up the awareness of the effort to eradicate polio within your club and within your community.
- Have club programs highlighting National Immunization Day experiences from District 5300 Rotarians.
- Hold community fundraising events that include non-Rotarians
- Stay informed. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative website has current information about the status of the effort: https://www.polioeradication.org/Home.aspx
- Encourage club members and friends from your communities to participate in polio immunization days in other countries.
You have the opportunity to make a significant impact in the fight against polio by becoming a valued member of the District 5300 Polio Plus Society. By contributing a donation of just $100, you align yourself with a dedicated group of individuals committed to eradicating this devastating disease that has impacted countless lives around the globe. Your generous support will aid vital efforts in vaccination, education, and advocacy to ensure that polio, a preventable illness, is eliminated for good, thereby safeguarding future generations from the threat of this virus. Join us in this crucial endeavor and help turn the tide against polio once and for all.
"One Rotarian's personal and life-changing journey into the heart of polio eradication”.
A personal, intimate experience from Dr Joel Conn, DVM
Joel is a member of the Rotary Club of Pismo Beach / Five Cities (District 5240)
A defining chapter of his service career occurred in 2016, when he traveled to India as a medical ambassador to assist with National Immunization Day (NID). Working on the front lines of the global campaign to eradicate polio, he helped administer vaccines and witnessed the profound impact of Rotary’s international humanitarian missions.</ Joel will be followed by Mike McGovern. Hunkered down in snowy Maine, Mike will bring the world of polio eradication to us through his vision and perspective.
Please join us on January 6th.
Our meetings will continue to be the first Tuesday of each month.
We’ve also changed the start time. All times are Pacific
- Peer-to-peer will start at 7:30am
- 8:00am is when the meeting officially starts - and will be open by 9:00apm
If you haven’t done this yet, please register to attend
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: January 6th, 2026 7:30 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
