Polio

A local Rotary leader says the world is closer than ever to eradicating polio, but continued vaccination efforts remain critical to preventing the disease from returning.

The message was highlighted during an End Polio Now flag-raising ceremony held at Moncton City Hall on World Polio Day, Oct. 24.

Sherry Trenholm, a local Rotary leader with Rotary District 7815, said global efforts have reduced polio cases by more than 99.9 per cent since 1988.

“If we stopped vaccinating children today, then the disease would spread. It would go far reaching beyond the two countries that we currently have it in,” Trenholm said.

According to information provided by Rotary, wild poliovirus remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Trenholm said maintaining vaccination programs is essential until the disease is eliminated completely.

“We’re almost there. So, hopefully down the road, we will have that completely eradicated, but we have to keep at it. We can’t slack at any time,” she said.

Rotary says it has been involved in global polio eradication efforts for decades.

The organization launched its PolioPlus program in 1985 and became a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988.

Since then, Rotary says Rotarians have contributed nearly US$3 billion toward eradication efforts, with eligible donations matched two-to-one by the Gates Foundation.

Rotary also says more than three billion children have been vaccinated through the global campaign.

Trenholm said awareness remains an important part of the effort, particularly because many people in Canada have never witnessed the effects of the disease firsthand.

She noted that New Brunswick is still home to some polio survivors, including a member of her own Rotary club.

The Moncton flag-raising was one of several local awareness initiatives tied to World Polio Day. Moncton City Hall, the Avenir Centre and other landmarks were illuminated in red as part of the campaign.

Trenholm said organizers were encouraged by the turnout at the ceremony.

“I was actually told by one of our city councillors on Saturday. It was one of the largest groups he has had attend a flag-raising ceremony. So that was a pretty proud moment for us,” she said.

Rotary says more than 400 million children continue to be vaccinated annually around the world as health organizations work toward eliminating the disease entirely.