In an era of global health challenges, vaccine-preventable diseases like polio remain a threat 

While tremendous progress has been made against vaccine-preventable diseases, in this era of global health challenges—from reduced funding to competing priorities to the proliferation of anti-vaccine sentiment—we’re at risk for the resurgence of diseases like polio.

Although Rotary and its Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners have reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent worldwide thanks to large-scale immunization campaigns, Afghanistan and Pakistan continue to report cases of wild polio. Meanwhile, outbreaks of other vaccine-preventable diseases like measles are occurring worldwide.

These diseases, anywhere, are a threat everywhere, including to America. Recent polio detections in Europe, Papua New Guinea, and the U.S. (New York)–and global measles outbreaks–demonstrate that these viruses know no boundaries. Un- and under-vaccinated populations around the world remain vulnerable to contracting these potentially deadly diseases.

The recent renewal of the longstanding Gates Foundation partnership with Rotary through 2029—which will amount to up to US$450 million—provides critical funding for polio eradication efforts; however, further financial and political support is critically needed to end polio for good.

That’s why, on World Polio Day, October 24, I urge readers to join the Dubois County Rotary in championing immunization and publicly supporting polio eradication. From 5 to 8 PM, the McDonald’s restaurants in Huntingburg, Ferdinand, and both Jasper locations, will donate 20% of Happy Meal proceeds to the local Rotary to help eradicate Polio.

This is the second year we are partnering with McDonald’s and we greatly appreciate their continued support of our course. The crippling disease can infect persons at any age, but Polio  mainly affects children under 5 years of age, therefore it is most fitting that the McDonald’s Happy Meal be the appropriate choice for this special day and donation.

For those who cannot visit a McDonald’s location on World Polio Day but still wish to make a tax-deductible donation to the cause of eradicating polio, please contact the Club at rotaryclubduboiscounty@gmail.com or call 812-630-5581.

Jim McFaul
Community Service Chair
Rotary Club of Dubois County