World Immunization Week is coming up, from April 24th-30th. This annual effort affords us the opportunity to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against a range of diseases, including polio. The progress Rotary and our partners have made in reducing polio cases through vaccination, and the scientific evidence both show that vaccines are a safe, effective, and a proven tool in protecting children from vaccine-preventable disease.

Worldwide wild type 1 polio cases have shown a dramatic increase, from only 6 cases in 2021, to 98 cases last year. If this trend continues, it will not only  reverse the progress we’ve made, but threaten our overall goal of eliminating polio forever.  

Measles was eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. The recent outbreaks of measles in Texas and New Mexico are driving up case counts and raising alarm among public health experts, especially as vaccination rates among children are falling. The number of measles cases in 2024 climbed significantly and is already at nearly 100 in just the first two months of this year and health officials say the true number of infections is likely much higher. Only five of the 90+ children in Texas were vaccinated. Up to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles may die from respiratory and neurologic complications.

Visit the Brand Center for a wide variety of digital assets your club can use to raise awareness about the importance of immunizations.