FOUNDATION MINUTE: OCTOBER 19, 2026
Welcome to Week Three of RI’s Month of Economic & Community Development.
Rotary Foundation & Rotary International – World Polio Day Article Highlights
Rotary’s October 2026 magazine and End Polio Now resources provide a comprehensive overview of polio, the global eradication effort, and how Rotary members act on 24 October to make polio history.
What is polio and how is it spread?
According to Rotary’s Polio Basics primer, polio (poliomyelitis) is caused by an intestinal virus transmitted mainly through contaminated water or person‑to‑person contact. It can attack the nervous system and cause paralysis. Infected individuals shed the virus for weeks, enabling rapid spread in areas with poor sanitation and low vaccination coverage.
Vaccines and eradication progress
Rotary and partners have immunized over 3 billion children worldwide since 1988 through the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Two main vaccines are used:
- IPV (inactivated polio vaccine) – developed by Dr. Jonas Salk, given by injection, prevents paralysis and spread
- OPV (oral polio vaccine) – developed by Dr. Albert Sabin, live‑weakened virus, induces gut immunity, easier to distribute, and effective in low‑sanitation areas
As of mid‑August 2026, only 22 wild poliovirus cases remain in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and 124 variant poliovirus cases have been reported.
Rotary’s role and World Polio Day
Rotary has been a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative since 1988, contributing over US$2.9 billion in PolioPlus grants and countless volunteer hours World Polio Day is observed annually on 24 October to recognize progress and rally support
The October 2026 Rotary magazine features club actions worldwide — from community fairs in Bolivia, themed dinners in Canada, to honoring polio survivors in Trinidad and Tobago Rotary’s Trustee Chair’s message encourages clubs to host events, share stories, and make gifts, noting that every dollar is matched 2:1 by the Gates Foundation
How to get involved
Rotary and End Polio Now invite individuals and clubs to:
- Donate at endpolio.org (impact tripled by Gates Foundation match)
- Host events such as concerts, walks, or educational activities
- Share stories and register actions for feature on Rotary and End Polio Now platforms
In Rotary,
Olabisi Gwamna, PhD
Mount Pleasant Evening Rotary
Editor, Foundation Minute.