Rotary continues its efforts to eradicate polio.
Polio epidemics peaked in the United States in the late 1940s-1950s when more than 15,000 Americans paralyzed every year, many of them children. It was so bad that panic caused pools and theaters to close, and parents kept kids at home in the summer. Allen County Health Commissioner Brandon Fischer told us that Rotary's PolioPlus campaign began in 1985 with a goal of $120 million, and it surpassed that goal, raising $247 million within three years. More than $2 billion has been raised since. As a result of this and other efforts, polio cases worldwide have dropped 99.9% since 1988, and two of the three types of the virus have been eliminated. Polio is still found in only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and so far this year, only 42 cases have been reported. He says it has been difficult to administer vaccines in those countries for a number of reasons, including wars, difficult terrain, and mistrust among many residents, but vaccination efforts continue. Fischer told us that it is still important that children receive vaccines, but nationally, polio vaccine coverage has been slipping – 92.4% national coverage at the start of the 2025-2026 school year from 95% prior to 2020. Allen County has seen a more dramatic decrease in polio vaccination coverage since 2017-2018 school year with only 85% of children being vaccinated. He noted that about half of people who are not vaccinated simply cannot get to an appointment or lack a regular health care provider. He asked members to stay up to date on their own vaccines and know their records, to keep supporting the polio campaign, and to be a trusted, listening voice in the community.
Also at Monday's meeting, we welcomed long-time club bookkeeper Amy Ricker as the newest member of the Lima Rotary Club. Please make her welcome!