As scientists work to develop vaccines to protect against COVID-19, World Immunization Week, April 24 to 30, is a time to recognize the importance of vaccines and how far the world has come in fighting disease.
The Rotary clubs of Ladner, North Delta and Tsawwassen are marking World Immunization Week, and its focus on disease prevention and treatment, with a loud parade of Rotarians, socially distanced in a caravan of decorated cars, near Delta Hospital in support of healthcare workers.
The parade is scheduled to leave at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 29 from the parking lot adjacent to the Delta Sport Development Centre.
“Many people around the world, including several from Delta, have helped administer vaccine to many millions of people in the fight to end polio, sometimes at great risk to their health and safety,” said Bridget Jacob, president of the Rotary Club of Ladner, on behalf of presidents of all three Rotary clubs in Delta. “For that reason, we always have tremendous respect for our healthcare workers here at home, but especially now, during this pandemic.”
When Rotary launched its global campaign to fight the crippling and sometimes deadly disease of polio 35 years ago, there were 350,000 cases reported every year in 122 countries. Joined over time by international health organizations, foundations and governments, Rotary’s campaign has reduced the number of cases to less than 200 in just two countries in 2019.
Each year, Rotary and partners vaccinate more than 400 million children against polio. Rotary members have contributed $1.9 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease. Today, 19 million people who would otherwise be paralyzed by polio are walking, and 1.5 million people who would otherwise have died are alive.
Now, using the vast infrastructure developed over the years to identify the poliovirus and deliver vaccination campaigns, the polio eradication program is pitching in to protect the vulnerable from COVID-19, especially in polio-endemic countries. From Pakistan to Nigeria, the program is drawing on years of experience fighting outbreaks to support governments as they respond to the new virus.
The Rotary Foundation has also funded $10 million to a variety of COVID-19 projects.
