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| National Immunization Day Rotary in Ethiopia From The Bridge Rotary Newsletter |
By Marj Ando
Robin Roat and Ed Sterner, Lake Forest Park Rotarians, are in Ethiopia with other Rotarians led by Past District 5030 Governor, Ezra Teshome, to participate in their annual National Immunization (NID) campaign to administer polio vaccine drops to young children 5 years and younger who have not yet received the vaccine in Ethiopia.
They will also visit other Rotary service projects, hospitals and schools, working with health workers and delivering needed school supplies such as laptops, pencils, and balls in the area.
World Polio Day is October 23, named in honor of Jonas Salk who developed the first polio vaccine (IPT). Later Albert Sabin developed an Oral Polio Vaccine, used mainly around the world. It is effective and easier to administer in large numbers. Polio is a devastating viral disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, leaving the survivors as one of the largest disabled groups in the world.
In 1985, Rotary International began the Polio Plus Program (End Polio Now) to eradicate the disease by immunizing children worldwide.
Through this program, over 2.5 billion children have received the vaccine.
Yet, polio still robs children of their future health in two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. The continent of Africa has been polio free for one year. However, as long as polio threatens even one child anywhere in the world, all children remain vulnerable and at risk. The virus is spread person to person.
The Global Polio eradication Partners are: Rotary International; the CDC; Unicef; World Health Organization; and the Bill / Melinda Gates Foundation.
How can you help with this effort? Join Rotary Club of Lake Forest Park at our third annual fundraiser dinner in partnership with Lake Forest Bar and Grill; Thursday, October 22 from 5 - 10pm.
The Bar and Grill will donate 10% of all food and drinks to the Rotary Foundation to make history on that day to eradicate polio. Direct donations are being matched 3 to 1 on this day by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
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