News Release

For immediate release

Rotary Contacts

Asia: Howard Chang, +1 (847) 866-3408, howard.chang@rotary.org

Europe: Stéphanie Tobler Mucznik, +41.(0)44.387.71.16, stephanie.toblermucznik@rotary.org

Latin America: Gabriela Klein, +1 (847) 866-3466, gabriela.klein@rotary.org

North America: Chanele Williams, +1 (847) 866-3466, chanele.williams@rotary.org

Isabelli Contacts

Global: Sabrina@megamodelbrasil.com.br

Brazil: Mônica Lages, +55 (11) 98182-7600, monica@mlages.com.br and Dinho Batista, +55 (11) 2649-3727, dinhobatista@uol.com.br

EVANSTON, Ill., U.S.A. (March 20, 2015) – Brazilian model and Rotary polio ambassador Isabelli Fontana will travel to India in March to administer lifesaving polio vaccine and visit patients at St. Stephen’s Hospital in New Delhi – the only hospital in India with a dedicated polio ward to rehabilitate children suffering from the effects of the paralyzing disease.

Star of many advertising campaigns, high fashion model, Victoria’s Secret model, current face of L’Oreal for Latin America and mother of two, Fontana signed on to be an ambassador for polio eradication in 2013 to help raise awareness of Rotary’s top goal of ending polio worldwide. Since then, she has appeared in Rotary’s “This Close” campaign, raising her thumb and forefinger in the “this close” gesture in the ad with the tagline "we're this close to ending polio." Although India was declared polio-free last year, Fontana will vaccinate children to ensure the disease does not reemerge.

“As a mother, I believe I cannot be indifferent to problems, especially the ones that have a solution. The disease has no cure, but can be prevented with vaccination,” Fontana explained. “I accepted the invitation to participate in Rotary’s global campaign because polio has to be ended everywhere. It is an achievable goal with important results to all,” she said. “It is an honor to travel to India and vaccinate children against this paralyzing disease. We cannot forget that immunizations must continue to keep polio from returning to India and being spread across the globe. I have participated in many campaigns in my homeland of Brazil for the same reason.”

Fontana will begin her trip by meeting with health workers and Rotary’s partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative—including UNICEF and the World Health Organization to understand how joint efforts made polio eradication in India a success and a template for future disease prevention efforts. In addition to immunizing children, Fontana will visit St. Stephens Hospital – one of the oldest and largest non-government hospitals in New Delhi. With support from St. Stephen’s Hospital and Rotary, patients stricken by polio are provided with free or low-cost corrective surgery and physical therapy. Rotary clubs have contributed US$200,000 to St. Stephen’s for this program.

In addition to her work with Rotary, Fontana’s other charitable work includes designing clothing for Brazilian Foundation Abrinqin conjunction with the brands Morena Rosa and Un.i Lingerie. Part of each purchase is donated to projects for children. She also supported blood drives for the Pró-sangue Foundation in São Paulo.

India, once the world’s epicenter of polio, was certified polio-free in March 2014 due to a massive joint effort by the Government of India, Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, a public-private partnership that includes Rotary, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Along with Fontana, Rotary polio ambassadors include public figures and celebrities like Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, action movie star Jackie Chan, golf legend Jack Nicklaus, conservationist Jane Goodall, premier violinist Itzhak Perlman, mega star Amitabh Bachchan, Grammy Award winners A.R. Rahman, Angelique Kidjo and Ziggy Marley, and peace advocate Queen Noor of Jordan.

About Rotary

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges.Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world.

About polio eradication

When Rotary launched its polio immunization program, PolioPlus in 1985, polio struck more than 1,000 children around the world every day. Less than 370 new polio cases were confirmed in 2014 – primarily in the countries where polio has never been stopped: Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

As the volunteer arm of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Rotary has contributed more than US$1.3 billion and countless hours of volunteer service to ending polio. Through 2018, every dollar Rotary commits to polio eradication will be matched two-to-one by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation up to $35 million a year. To date, more than 2.5 billion children have been immunized against the paralyzing and sometimes deadly poliovirus.

Visit rotary.org and endpolio.org for more about Rotary and its efforts to eradicate polio. Video and still images will be available on the Rotary Media Center.

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News Release

For immediate release

Contact: Petina Dixon-Jenkins, (847) 866-3054, petina.dixon-jenkins@rotary.org

EVANSTON, Ill., USA (20 January 2015) — The continued fight to eradicate polio gets an additional $34.8 million boost from Rotary in support of immunization activities and research to be carried out by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. The funds will be used by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF for polio immunization, surveillance and research activities in ten countries, as well as to provide technical assistance to additional countries in Africa.

In 2014, the world saw significant progress against polio in most places. Nigeria – the last polio-endemic country in Africa – saw a nearly 90% reduction in cases in 2014 over 2013, with the last case recorded six months ago. In addition, more than half of the world’s polio cases in 2013 were the result of outbreaks in previously polio-free countries, largely caused by instability and conflict in countries such as Syria, Iraq and Somalia. These outbreaks appear to have been stopped in 2014 following special vaccination efforts in 11 countries, reaching more than 56 million children.

The exception to this progress was Pakistan, which saw an explosive outbreak which resulted in more than 300 cases in 2014, the highest number in the country in more than a decade. As a result, Pakistan accounted for almost 90% of the world’s cases in 2014. In 2015, Pakistan has the opportunity to reverse that trend and in doing so, help the world end polio forever.

The progress made against the disease in 2014, while significant, is fragile. Rotary’s funds will support efforts to end polio in the three countries where the disease has never been stopped: $8.1 million in Nigeria; $1.1 million in Pakistan and $6.7 million in Afghanistan.

Additional funds will support efforts to keep other at-risk countries polio-free. The grants include $1.6 million, Cameroon: $2.5 million, Chad; $3.3 million, Democratic Republic of Congo; $1.1 million, Ethiopia; $250,000, Kenya; $2.8 million, Niger; and $7 million, Somalia. In addition, grants totaling $321,000 will provide technical assistance in Africa.

“We are encouraged to see the tangible progress made against this disease in 2014,” said Mike McGovern, chair of Rotary’s International PolioPlus Committee. “However, until we eliminate polio from its final reservoirs, children everywhere are at risk from this disease. Rotary – along with our partners – will work hard to ensure the world’s most vulnerable children are kept safe from polio.”

Rotary launched its polio immunization program PolioPlus in 1985 and in 1988 became a spearheading partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative with the WHO, UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since the initiative launched in 1988, the incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99 percent, from about 350,000 cases a year to 350 confirmed to date in 2014.

Rotary’s roles within the initiative are fundraising, advocacy, and social mobilization. To date, Rotary has contributed more than $1.3 billion and countless volunteer hours to fight polio. Through 2018, every new dollar Rotary commits to polio eradication will be matched two-to-one by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation up to $35 million a year.

About Rotary

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. In 1988, Rotary was joined by the WHO, UNICEF and the CDC to launch the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Visit rotary.org and endpolio.org for more about Rotary and its efforts to eradicate polio. Video and still images will be available on the Rotary Media Center.

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News Release

For immediate release

Contacts:
Tom Gable, (619) 251-3881, tom@gablepr.com
Vivian Fiore, (847) 656-6976, vivian.fiore@rotary.org
Chanele Williams, (847) 866-3466, chanele.williams@rotary.org

SAN DIEGO, Calif., USA (13 January 2015) — Rotary will screen two documentary films: Invisible Threat, which explores the immune system in relation to the debate on vaccine safety in the United States; and The Final Punch, which shows the challenges and ultimate sacrifices made by polio vaccinators in Pakistan – one of the last holdouts of a disease on the verge of global eradication. 

The free film screening and panel discussion with local and global public health experts will be held on Thursday, January 15, (6:30 – 9:30 p.m.) at the University of San Diego’s Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice (The Rotunda), 5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego.

“Most people would be shocked to learn that polio is still paralyzing and sometimes killing children today, despite an effective vaccine that’s been in existence for more than 50 years,” said Michael K. McGovern, chair of Rotary’s International PolioPlus Committee. “Though we are very close to ending polio, until the virus is completely gone, all unvaccinated children are at risk. These two films shown together effectively convey the importance of protecting every child from polio and other preventable diseases.”

The Final Punch gives a behind the scenes look at the challenges and sacrifices made by polio vaccinators in Pakistan, who are risking their lives to ensure every child receives the oral polio vaccine. In the last two years, more than 65 health workers lost their lives while immunizing children against polio in Pakistan, a country that accounts for more than 85 percent of polio cases worldwide. Although Pakistan continues to battle this crippling disease, polio is 99 percent eliminated from the planet. Once eradicated, it will be the second disease since smallpox to be eliminated from the world.

In contrast, parents in California and the United States are increasingly opting out of vaccinating their kindergartners. As a result, children are contracting a number of preventable diseases, including more than 9,000 infected with pertussis in 2014 – the most cases in 70 years.

“In addition to pertussis, San Diego is experiencing its third moderately severe flu season in a row, and California just had the highest number of measles cases in two decades,” said Dr. Eric McDonald, Deputy Public Health Officer, County of San Diego. “All of these illnesses can be prevented with vaccines. Getting vaccinated not only protects you, but it also protects your loved ones and your community from these potentially deadly diseases.”

Produced by Carlsbad High School students and supported by San Diego-area Rotary clubs, Invisible Threat explores the immune system in relation to the debate on vaccine safety in the United States. The film includes interviews with physicians; parents who believe vaccines are linked to autism; and parents who have lost children to vaccine-preventable diseases. Lisa Posard, producer and mother of one of the 16 student filmmakers, said the film was created to serve as a peer to peer learning tool.

"While filming Invisible Threat and after interviewing experts, our students found that under-vaccination puts the community at risk, especially the most vulnerable, such as newborns too young to be vaccinated and kids with cancer," said Posard.

In addition to Dr. McDonald and Posard, the panel will include: Dr. Peter Salk, President, Jonas Salk Legacy Foundation, and Dr. Hamid Jafari, Director of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, World Health Organization (WHO). Register to attend the film screening.

About Rotary

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world.

About Rotary in San Diego County

With over 500 local members, the San Diego Rotary club includes some of the city’s well known civic, business and community leaders. Since 1911, San Diego Rotary has been providing San Diego’s leadership with an opportunity to connect with others toward the common goal of improving the community in which they work and live, as well as the world beyond. This work is channeled through 60 committees whose projects include supporting a school for the homeless, building schools in Mexico, instructing high school juniors in the free enterprise system, providing surgical services to underdeveloped areas worldwide and more.

About polio eradication

When Rotary launched its PolioPlus program in 1985, polio struck more than 1,000 children around the world every day. Just 350 cases have been confirmed in 2014 – primarily in the countries where polio has never been stopped: Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

As the volunteer arm of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), Rotary has contributed more than US$1.3 billion and countless hours of volunteer service to ending polio. To date, more than 2.5 billion children have been immunized against the paralyzing and sometimes deadly poliovirus.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative includes the World Health Organization, Rotary International, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Visit rotary.org and endpolio.org for more about Rotary and its efforts to eradicate polio. Video and still images will be available on the Rotary Media Center.

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News Release

For immediate release

CONTACTS:
Petina Dixon-Jenkins - petina.dixon-jenkins@rotary.org, Phone: +1 847-866-3054 (US)

SYDNEY (12 December, 2014) — In recognition of his leadership and the support of the Australian government toward ending the paralyzing disease polio, Rotary presented Prime Minister Tony Abbott with its Polio Eradication Champion Award on Dec. 9.

Speaking earlier this year at Rotary's annual international convention held in Sydney, Prime Minister Abbott reaffirmed his government's commitment of AUD $100 million to end polio – the humanitarian service organization's top philanthropic goal.

The funds will support polio eradication and routine immunisation activities to fight the re-emergence of polio. The government of Australia has contributed AUD$30 million toward the global eradication of polio since 2011.

"A disease that once paralyzed 1,000 children each day is now almost history," said K.R. Ravindran, President-elect of Rotary International. "Prime Minister Tony Abbott and the government of Australia have helped the world make tremendous progress in the effort to eradicate polio, yet we cannot stop until every child is safe from the devastating effects of this disease. The support of Prime Minister Abbott and the government of Australia will prove vital as we seek to eliminate polio from the world by 2018."

Polio today remains endemic to only three countries, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan. This year, Nigeria has made significant progress having reduced its case count by more than 90 percent compared to this same time last year. However, Pakistan has seen an alarming rise in polio cases, as conflict threatens both the safety of health workers and children's access to the vaccine.

Australia's contribution will support the collective efforts of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, a worldwide effort led by Rotary, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Rotary established the Polio Eradication Champion Award in 1995 to honor heads of state, health agency leaders and others who have made significant contributions to the global eradication of polio. Past recipients include Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada; Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany; David Cameron, Prime Minister of Great Britain; Enda Kenny, Prime Minister of Ireland; Goodluck Jonathan, President of Nigeria; and Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations. Prime Minister Abbott is the second Australian leader to receive this recognition. Prime Minister John Howard was honoured by Rotary in 2005.

Rotary made polio eradication its top philanthropic goal in 1985. As the volunteer arm of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Rotary has contributed more than US$1.3 billion to ending polio. This includes more than AUD$24.7 (US$21) million contributed by the more than 30,000 members of 1,114 Rotary clubs in Australia.

Since the Global Polio Eradication Initiative launched in 1988, more than 2.5 billion children worldwide have received the oral polio vaccine, causing the incidence of the disease to plummet by more than 99 percent, from about 350,000 new cases a year to fewer than 420 for all of 2013.

Click here for photo of Prime Minister Abbott with his award

About Rotary

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges.Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. Visit rotary.org and endpolio.org for more about Rotary and its efforts to eradicate polio. Video and still images will be available on the Rotary Media Center.

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보도 자료

긴급 보도 요망

연락 담당자: Vivian Fiore - Vivian.fiore@rotary.org, Phone: +1 (847) 866-3234 (US)

지기 말리 등 유명인사 참여하는 라이브스트림 이벤트도 실시

에반스톤, 일리노이(2014년 10월 21일)—소아마비 퇴치를 99% 완료하여 목표달성을 “요만큼” 앞두고 있는 상황에서, 로타리는 소아마비 퇴치를 위한 글로벌 이니셔티브(GPEI)의 면역 활동과 감시 활동, 연구 활동을 위해 추가로 미화 4,470만 달러를 기부한다고 밝혔다. GPEI는 현재 2018년까지 지구상에서 소아마비를 완전히 퇴치한다는 목표 아래 마지막 박차를 가하고 있다.

소아마비는 인류 역사상 완전히 박멸되는 두 번째 질병(최초의 질병은 천연두이다)이라는 기록을 세울 것으로 보인다. 로타리는 지금까지 전세계 193개국에서 대규모 면역 활동을 통해 바이러스의 확산을 중단시켰다. 10월 24일, 세계 소아마비의 날을 앞두고 전격 발표된 로타리의 추가 기금은 아직까지 어린이들이 소아마비 전염 가능성에 노출된 국가의 면역 활동을 지원하는 데 사용될 예정이다. 

국제로타리의 존 휴코 사무총장은 “이번 발표가 세계 소아마비의 날을 앞두고 이루어진 것은 매우 시의적절한 일”이라고 밝히면서  “로타리는 이 날을 기해 소아마비 퇴치의 중요성을 널리 알리고 전세계에 이에 대한 지원과 협조를 촉구하고 있다”고 말했다. “로타리는 소아마비를 지난 시대의 산물로 만들기 위해 심혈을 기울이고 있다”고 강조한 휴코 사무총장은 “이제 목표 딜성이 눈앞에 다가왔으며, 마지막 박차를 위해 모든 이들의 지원을 고대한다”고 덧붙였다.

휴코 사무총장은 2018년까지 소아마비를 퇴치하기 위한 ‘엔드게임 전략’에는 지금까지 25억 명의 아동들에게 투여된 경구 백신으로 인한 성과를 보완하기 위한  불활성화된 주사용 백신의 도입도 포함된다고 설명했다. 이 같은 노력의 선두주자는 세계 최대의 소아마비 백신 제조사이자, 소아마비의 날에 실시되는 로타리 특별 행사의 공동 스폰서인 사노피 파스퇴르(Sanofi Pasteur)사 이다. 

파스퇴르 사의 올리비에르 샤르멜(Olivier Charmeil) 대표는 “전세계 120개국 이상에서 불활성화된 소아마비 백신(IPV)을 도입함에 따라, 이제 소아마비 퇴치의 최종 단계에 접어들었다”면서 “우리 회사의 경우 IPV가 경구용 백신(OPV)으로 시작된 면역 활동을 마감할 ‘궁극적인 공중보건의 도구’라는 장기적 비전을 갖고 오랫동안 연구해 왔다”고 밝혔다. 아울러 그는 “오늘날 소아마비 퇴치의 역사적인 파트너인 로타리와 함께 하게 된 것을 영광으로 생각한다”고 밝혔다.  

1,850만 달러에 달하는 기금은 아프가니스탄(740만 달러), 나이지리아(840만 달러), 파키스탄(270만 달러) 등 3개 토착 발병국의 면역 활동을 지원하게 된다. 토착 발병국은 야생 소아마비 바이러스가 근절된 적이 없는 국가를 가리킨다.   

또다른 950만 달러는 과거 소아마비가 퇴치되었으나, 바이러스 유입으로 재발병사태가 일어난 카메룬(350만 달러)과 에티오피아200만 달러), 소말리아(400만 달러)를 지원하게 된다.   

아울러 1,30만 달러는 소아마비가 퇴치되었으나 재감염의 위험이 있는 콩고 공화국(150만 달러), 인도(480만 달러), 니제르(100만 달러), 남수단(200만 달러), 수단(100만 달러)의 면역 활동에 사용된다.

로타리는 소아마비 퇴치 이니셔티브 파트너 단체들인 유니세프와 세계보건기구에 기금을 제공하며, 이 단체들은 각국 정부 및 소아마비 발병국의 로타리클럽들과 협력하여 면역 활동을 계획, 실시한다. 어린이들에게 경구용 백신을 투여하는 대량 면역 활동은 전세계에 소아마비 퇴치가 달성될 때까지 지속되어야 한다.   

로타리의 “요만큼” 캠페인은 유명인들을 홍보 대사로 출연시켜 소아마비 퇴치가 99% 완료되었더라도 이를 완료하기 위한 마지막 노력이 필요함을 강조하고 있다. 오늘날까지 로타리는 소아마비 퇴치를 위해 13억 달러 이상을 기부해 왔다. 빌 & 멜린다 게이츠 재단은 오는 2018년까지 로타리가 소아마비 퇴치를 위해 기부하는 기금에 대해 (연간 최고 3,500만 달러까지) 1대 2로 상응지원한다. 2013년 현재 전세계에는 416건의 소아마비 발병만이 보고되었는데, 이 이니셔티브가 발족된 1988년에 연 35만 건이 보고되었던 사실과 비교하면 실로 놀라운 성취가 아닐 수 없다.  

‘소아마비퇴치: 새로운역사만들기’ 라이브스트림이벤트   

2014년 10월 24일 - 세계소아마비의  날(6:30 pm CT): http://ow.ly/A7OKy

로타리는 세계 소아마비의 날을 맞이하여 지난 해에 이어 두 번째로 소아마비 퇴치에 관한 글로벌 현황을 알아보고 세계적 연사와 공연자들이 출연하는 라이브스트림 이벤트를 개최한다. 이 행사는 시카고에서 개최되며, <타임>지의 과학 및 테크놀로지 편집자인 제프리 클루거(Jeffrey Kluger)가 호스트를  맡는다. 이 이벤트의 출연자와 하이라이트는 다음과 같다:   

• 티산느친(Tessanne Chin), 인기 TV 오디션 프로그램인 “더 보이스”의 2013년도 우승자이다. 라이브스트림 행사에서 노래를 부르며, 이어 자선 콘서트를 개최한다.   
• 레게스타지그말리(Ziggy Marley)는 동영상을 통해 참가자들에게 인사하고 공연을 보여준다.
• 소아마비 생존자이자 철인경기 출전자인민다덴틀러(Minda Dentler)가 동영상을 통해 자신의 스토리를 나눈다. 이 동영상에서 그녀는 파스퇴르 사 CEO인 올리비에르 샤르멜과 이야기를 나누며, 파스퇴르 사 관계자인 베네디트헨드릭스(Bernadette Hendrickx)가 라이브로 간단한 스피치를 한다.
• 이 밖에도 존휴코(John Hewko) 국제로타리 사무총장, 마이클맥거번(Michael McGovern) 로타리재단 부관리위원장, 미국 질병통제예방센터의 제임스알렉산더(James Alexander) 박사의 강연이 있을 예정이다.

로타리소개

로타리는 인류의 가장 긴급한 과제들을 해결하기 위해 헌신하는 자원봉사자들의 글로벌 네트워크이다. 로타리는 전세계 200개 이상의 국가들과 자치령에 소재한 3만4,000여개 클럽의 120만 회원들을 연결한다. 로타리 회원들은 가까운 이웃을 돕는 일에서부터 소아마비 없는 세상을 만드는 노력에 이르기까지, 지역사회와 전 세계에 긍정적인 변화를 가져오기 위해 다양한 활동을 펼친다.1988년, 로타리는  세계보건기구, 유니세프, 미국 질병통제예방센터와 함께 소아마비 퇴치를 위한 글로벌 이니셔티브(GPEI)에 동참했다. 로타리와 소아마비 퇴치에 관한 상세한 정보는  rotary.org 와 endpolio.org를 참조한다. 로타리 미디어 센터를 방문하면 동영상과 이미지 자료들을 입수할 수 있다.

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ニュースリリース

即時発行用

連絡先: Vivian Fiore - Vivian.fiore@rotary.org, Phone: +1 (847) 866-3234 (US)

米国エバンストン（2014年10月21日付）
世界におけるポリオ（急性灰白髄炎）の発症数は99％減少し、ポリオ撲滅は"あと少し"に迫っています。ロータリーは、2018年までのポリオ撲滅をめざすGPEI（全世界ポリオ撲滅推進計画）の主要パートナーとして、10月24日の「世界ポリオデー」を前に、予防接種、監視活動、研究を強化するための4,470万ドルを投じます。

撲滅が実現した場合、ポリオは、天然痘に次いで人類が撲滅する史上2番目の疾病となります。大々的な予防接種活動によって、今日までに193カ国でポリオ感染が阻止されてきました。ロータリーによる今回の資金投入は、現在もポリオの危険にさらされている国々の子どもを守ることが主な目的です。

「今回の資金投入は世界ポリオデーに合わせたもので、世界的なポリオ撲滅活動への認識と支援を高めるためでもある」と話すのは、国際ロータリーのジョン・ヒューコ事務総長です。「ロータリーはポリオ撲滅を歴史に刻むために全力を尽くします。ポリオフリーの世界を築くためにも皆さんからのご支援をお願いいたします」

2018年までの撲滅をめざす活動では、25億人の子どもに投与された経口ワクチン（OPV）を補完するかたちで、注射による不活化ワクチン（IPV）も新たに導入されます（OPVの使用はポリオが撲滅されるまで継続）。これを先導するのは、ポリオワクチン製造の最大手サノフィパスツール社です。また同社は、世界ポリオデーにロータリーと共催で特別イベントをシカゴで開催します。

「IPVの導入により、ポリオ撲滅への最終章がはじまる」と話すのは、サノフィパスツール社CEOのオリビエ・シャーメイユ氏です。「同社では、OPVを使用して開始された活動に終止符を打つのはIPVであると、兼ねてからビジョンを抱いてきました。ポリオ撲滅活動の立役者であるロータリーと協力できるのは光栄なことです」

約1,850万ドルの資金は、今も野生ポリオウイルスによる感染が起きている次の3カ国で使用されます：アフガニスタン（740万ドル）、ナイジェリア（840万ドル）、パキスタン（270万ドル）。また、950万ドルは、ポリオフリーとして認定されたものの、上記3カ国からのウイルス流入によって感染が起きている次の国で使用されます：カメルーン（350万ドル）、エチオピア（200万ドル）、ソマリア（400万ドル）。

さらに、1,040万ドルは、ポリオフリーに認定されているものの、再感染のリスクが高い国で使用されます：コンゴ（150万ドル）、インド（490万ドル）、ニジェール（100万ドル）、南スーダン（200万ドル）、スーダン（100万ドル）。

残りの570万ドルは、ポリオ撲滅のための研究費として使用されます。

また、ロータリーでは、撲滅活動のパートナー団体であるユニセフと世界保健機関（WHO）への資金提供も行っています。これらの団体は、ポリオの影響下にある国の政府やロータリー会員と協力し、予防接種の実施計画を立てます。

現在、ビル・アンド・メリンダ・ゲイツ財団とのパートナーシップにより、2018年まで毎年、ロータリーからポリオ撲滅に寄せられる寄付に対して、2倍の資金がゲイツ財団より上乗せされます（上乗せの対象となるロータリーからの寄付は、各年3,500万ドルまで）。

2013年に確認されたポリオ感染はわずか416件。毎年350,000人が感染していた撲滅活動開始当時の1988年から大きく減少しました。

世界ポリオデーのライブストリームイベント：http://ow.ly/A7OKy

10月24日、シカゴ時間の午後6時半（日本時間は25日午前8時半）に、世界ポリオデーのライブストリームイベントが行われます。2回目となる今回のイベントでは、『タイム』誌の科学・テクロロジー部編集者であるジェフリー・クルーガー氏が司会を務め、ポリオ撲滅の最新情報に加え、次のゲストによる講演やライブパフォーマンスが行われます。

• テッサン・チン：アメリカで人気の音楽オーディション番組「The Voice」で2013年に優勝。ライブパフォーマンスを披露します。
• レゲエ歌手ジギー・マーリー：ビデオメッセージとパフォーマンスが上映されます。
• ミンダ・デントラー：ポリオ経験者であるトライアスロン選手。サノフィパスツール社CEOのオリビエ・シャーメイユ氏と医療・科学シニアアドバイザーであるベルナルデ・ヘンドリックス氏によるビデオを通じて彼女の体験談を紹介します。
• 米国疾病対策センター（CDC）のシニアメディカル疫学者であるジェームズ・アレクサンダー、国際ロータリー事務総長のジョン・ヒューコ、ロータリー財団副管理委員長のマイケル・マクガバンによる講演が行われます。

ロータリーについて

世界120万人の会員から成るボランティアのネットワーク、ロータリーは、地域社会を支援する草の根の活動から、全世界でポリオを撲滅する国際的取り組みまで、200以上の国と地域にあるロータリークラブを中心に奉仕活動しています。1988年、ロータリーは、 WHO、ユニセフ、CDCとともに、世界ポリオ撲滅推進計画を開始しました。ロータリーの動画や写真は、メディアセンターからご覧ください。

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COMUNICADO À IMPRENSA

PARA DIVULGAÇÃO IMEDIATA

Contato: Vivian Fiore - Vivian.fiore@rotary.org, Phone: +1 (847) 866-3234 (US)

No próximo dia 24, a organização humanitária transmitirá ao vivo um evento com a presença de especialistas da saúde e celebridades

EVANSTON, Ill., EUA (21 de outubro de 2014) — “Falta Só Isto” para a poliomielite ser eliminada da face da Terra, e faltará menos ainda com os US$44,7 milhões que o Rotary destinará para atividades de imunização, vigilância e pesquisa lideradas pela Iniciativa Global de Erradicação da Pólio. A previsão é que o vírus seja erradicado até 2018.

Depois da varíola, a paralisia infantil será a segunda doença na história da humanidade a ser erradicada. Até agora, o Rotary foi um dos pivôs para que 193 países conseguissem interromper a transmissão da doença com campanhas de vacinação infantil em massa.

“É uma coincidência feliz que estes subsídios do Rotary sejam outorgados por ocasião do Dia Mundial de Combate à Pólio, em 24 de outubro. O dinheiro será destinado para avançar ainda mais nosso progresso em direção a um mundo sem paralisia infantil”, disse o secretário-geral do Rotary International, John Hewko.

Ele mencionou que a estratégia da reta final para derrotar a doença inclui a introdução da vacina injetável com vírus inativado para suplementar o progresso alcançado com a imunização de 2,5 bilhões de crianças que receberam a vacina oral. Isto não seria possível sem a participação do Sanofi Pasteur, o maior fabricante da vacina e patrocinador, junto com o Rotary, do programa especial em Chicago no Dia Mundial de Combate à Pólio.

“Com mais de 120 países adotando a vacina à base do vírus inativado, estamos começando o último capítulo da luta contra a doença”, disse Olivier Charmeil, CEO da Sanofi Pasteur. “Aqui no Sanofi Pasteur, achamos que o uso de vacinas com o vírus inativado é o melhor meio para finalizar o belo trabalho feito com a vacina oral. Temos muita honra de estar ao lado do Rotary, parceiro inestimável na cruzada contra a paralisia infantil.”

Das verbas disponíveis:

• $18,5 milhões irão para os três países onde a doença é endêmica: Afeganistão ($7,4 milhões), Nigéria ($8,4 milhões) e Paquistão ($2,7 milhões). Entende-se por país endêmico aquele onde a transmissão do vírus selvagem jamais deixou de ocorrer.

• $9,5 milhões serão destinados a países que estão livres da paralisia infantil, mas que registraram casos de importação do vírus de países endêmicos. São eles Camarões ($3,5 milhões), Etiópia ($2 milhões) e Somália ($4 milhões).

• $10,4 milhões irão para países que correm risco de reinfecção: República Democrática do Congo ($1,5 milhão), Índia ($4,9 milhões), Níger ($1 milhão), Sudão do Sul ($2 milhões) e Sudão ($1 milhão).

• O restante será destinado à pesquisa para erradicação do vírus da pólio.

O Rotary fornece subsídios ao Unicef e à Organização Mundial da Saúde, seus parceiros na luta contra a doença, que trabalham com governos e rotarianos na realização de atividades de imunização em países afetados. A vacinação infantil em massa pela via oral deverá continuar até que a paralisia infantil seja erradicada.

Até agora, o Rotary já contribuiu $1,3 bilhão ao combate da poliomielite. Vale ressaltar que até 2018, a Fundação Bill e Melinda Gates doará dois dólares para cada dólar que o Rotary destinar à erradicação da pólio, até um máximo de $35 milhões por ano. Em 2013, foram 416 casos confirmados, comparados a 350.000 por ano quando a iniciativa foi lançada em 1988.

Elimine a Pólio Agora: Entre para a História Hoje

Transmissão ao vivo às 18h30 de Chicago no dia 24 de outubro. Assista em http://ow.ly/A7OKy

Pelo segundo ano seguido, o Rotary celebrará o Dia Mundial de Combate à Pólio com um evento transmitido ao vivo pela internet que contará com a presença de especialistas no assunto e celebridades. O anfitrião será o editor de ciências e tecnologia da revista Time, Jeffrey Kluger. Entre os presentes estarão:

• Tessanne Chin, ganhadora do The Voice de 2013, cantará durante o programa e depois fará um show em Chicago em benefício da campanha Elimine a Pólio Agora.
• Ziggy Marley, terá uma mensagem e show em vídeo.
• Minda Dentler, sobrevivente da pólio e atleta do Ironman, contará sua experiência com a doença.
• Olivier Charmeil, CEO do Sanofi Pasteur, falará algumas palavras por vídeo. Sua consultora, Bernadette Hendrickx, falará ao vivo.
• Outros oradores são: Dr. James Alexander, epidemiologista do Centro Norte-Americano de Controle e Prevenção de Doenças; John Hewko, secretário-geral do Rotary International; e Michael McGovern, vice-chair do Conselho de Curadores da Fundação Rotária.

Sobre nós

O Rotary é formado por líderes voluntários dedicados a tratar alguns dos desafios mais urgentes do mundo. A rede conta com 1,2 milhão de associados em mais de 34.000 clubes em 200 países e áreas geográficas. Trabalhamos local e internacionalmente em prol da melhoria da condição de vida humana. Em 1988, junto com a Organização Mundial da Saúde, Unicef e Centro Norte-Americano de Controle e Prevenção de Doenças, lançamos a Iniciativa Global de Erradicação da Pólio. Para saber mais visite rotary.org e endpolio.org. Vídeos e imagens podem ser baixados da nossa central de mídia.

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COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE

POUR PUBLICATION IMMÉDIATE

CONTACT: Vivian Fiore - Vivian.fiore@rotary.org, Phone: +1 (847) 866-3234 (US)

Un évènement organisé par le Rotary le 24 octobre et retransmis en direct en ligne met à l’affiche des experts internationaux de la santé, une survivante de la polio, les chanteurs Tessanne Chin et Ziggy Marley, et d’autres personnalités.

EVANSTON, Illinois, États-Unis (21 octobre 2014) — Le monde est aujourd'hui « à ça » d'éradiquer la poliomyélite et le travail est à 99 % accompli. Dans un tel contexte, l'Initiative mondiale pour l'éradication de la polio reçoit 44,7 millions de dollars supplémentaires de la part du Rotary pour renforcer ses activités de vaccination, de surveillance et de recherche, avec comme objectif la disparition pure et simple de la polio de la surface de la terre d'ici à 2018.

La poliomyélite est sur le point d'être la seconde maladie éradiquée de l'histoire de l'humanité. À ce jour, le Rotary a aidé 193 pays à stopper la transmission du virus au travers de campagnes de vaccination de masse ciblant les enfants. Ce nouvel engagement financier du Rotary, annoncé avant la Journée mondiale contre la polio le 24 octobre, se portera sur les pays où les enfants courent encore le risque de contracter cette maladie incurable, mais totalement évitable grâce à l'inoculation d'un simple vaccin.

« Le timing est parfait, se réjouit John Hewko, secrétaire général du Rotary international. Cet apport du Rotary coïncide avec la Journée mondiale contre la polio, une journée de sensibilisation du public durant laquelle nous l'invitons à se rallier à notre cause. Le Rotary est fermement déterminé à éradiquer la poliomyélite et le soutien du plus grand nombre est le bienvenu alors que nous touchons au but. »

John Hewko a également souligné que la phase finale du plan d'éradication comprend l'introduction du vaccin anti-poliomyélite inactivé (IPV) sous forme injectable qui viendra en complément du vaccin oral, déjà administré à 2,5 milliards d'enfants. Cet effort est possible grâce au concours de Sanofi Pasteur, le plus important producteur de vaccin antipolio au monde, qui participera par ailleurs le 24 octobre à l'évènement spécial organisé par le Rotary à l'occasion de la Journée mondiale contre la polio.

« Avec l'introduction du vaccin anti-poliomyélite inactivé (IPV) dans plus de 120 pays, nous entamons le dernier chapitre de l'éradication de la polio, a expliqué Olivier Charmeil, président directeur général de Sanofi Pasteur. À Sanofi Pasteur, notre vision à long terme est que l'IPV est l'outil de santé publique en mesure de finir le travail commencé avec le vaccin oral. C'est pour nous un honneur de travailler avec le Rotary, un partenaire historique dans le combat contre la polio. »

Environ 18,5 millions de dollars seront dirigés vers les trois pays encore endémiques, c'est-à-dire les pays où la transmission du virus sauvage de la polio n'a jamais été stoppée : Afghanistan (7,4 millions), Nigeria (8,4 millions) et Pakistan (2,7 millions).

Par ailleurs, 9,5 millions seront réservés aux pays auparavant déclarés exempts de polio mais qui ont enregistré des cas «importés » provenant de pays endémiques : Cameroun (3,5 millions), Éthiopie (2 millions) et Somalie (4 millions).

De même, 10,4 millions seront affectés au pays exempts de polio risquant d'être réinfectés : République démocratique du Congo (1,5 million), Inde (4,9 millions), Niger (1 million), Soudan du Sud (2 millions) et Soudan (1 million).

Enfin, les 6,3 millions restants seront alloués à la recherche.

Le Rotary finance les activités d'éradication de la polio au travers de subventions accordés à l'UNICEF et à l'Organisation mondiale de la Santé. Ces deux entités, aux côtés des gouvernements et des membres de Rotary clubs des pays touchés, planifient et mettent en œuvre les campagnes de vaccinations. Celles de masse utilisant le vaccin oral ne doivent pas cesser tant que l'éradication de la poliomyélite n'est pas atteinte.

À ce jour, le Rotary a alloué plus de 1,3 milliard de dollars à cette cause. Jusqu'en 2018, la Fondation Bill & Melinda Gates ajoutera aux fonds versés par le Rotary à l'éradication de la polio une contrepartie financière équivalente au double de leur montant (à hauteur de 35 millions de dollars par an).

En 2013, seuls 416 cas ont été enregistrés pour l'année, contre 350 000 par an lorsque l'initiative mondiale pour l'éradication de la polio a débuté en 1988.

Évènement en direct En finir avec la polio : Écrire une page d'histoire
Le 24 octobre 2014 – Journée mondiale contre la polio
(18 h 30, heure de Chicago) – En direct sur http://ow.ly/A7OKy

Comme l'année dernière, le Rotary célèbrera la Journée mondiale contre la polio lors d'un évènement à Chicago retransmis en direct en ligne. Animé par Jeffrey Kluger, rédacteur Science et Technologie du magazine TIME, le programme comprendra les dernières actualités sur l'éradication de la polio et de nombreux intervenants et artistes, parmi lesquels:

• Tessanne Chin, gagnante du show télévisé « The Voice », chantera une chanson pendant l'évènement et donnera un concert de charité en faveur de l'éradication de la polio dans la soirée.
• Ziggy Marley, star du Reggae, souhaitera la bienvenue aux participants et chantera via un message vidéo.
• Minda Dentler, survivante de la polio et triathlète longue distance, témoignera de son combat contre la maladie.
• Olivier Charmeil, président directeur général de Sanofi Pasteur, et Bernadette Hendrickx, conseillère médicale et scientifique à Sanofi Pasteur, interviendront via vidéo-conférence.
• John Hewko, secrétaire général du Rotary, Olivier Charmeil, vice- président du conseil d'administration de la Fondation Rotary, et le Dr James Alexander, épidémiologiste au Centre américain pour la prévention et le traitement des maladies.

Le Rotary

Le Rotary est un réseau mondial de 1,2 million de décideurs solidaires qui mettent leurs talents et compétences au service des causes humanitaires les plus urgentes. Les membres des 34 000 Rotary clubs présents à travers le monde dans 200 pays et territoires travaillent avec détermination pour améliorer le quotidien dans leur ville et à l'étranger, et aider les plus défavorisés. En 1988, le Rotary a été rejoint dans son combat contre la poliomyélite par l'Organisation mondiale de la Santé, l'UNICEF et le Centre américain pour la prévention et le contrôle des maladies. Pour en savoir plus sur le Rotary et sa priorité, l'éradication de la polio, consulter rotary.org/fr et endpolio.org/fr.

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Comunicato Stampa

For immediate release

Contatto: Vivian Fiore - Vivian.fiore@rotary.org, Phone: +1 (847) 866-3234 (US)

L’evento in livestream del Rotary il 24 ottobre, a Chicago, include esperti di fama mondiale del settore sanitario, la sopravvissuta alla polio Minda Dentler, la pop star Tessanne Chin, il cantante reggae Ziggy Marley e altri famosi ospiti

EVANSTON, Ill. (21 ott., 2014) — Adesso che ‘Basta così poco’ all’eradicazione della polio dal pianeta (99%), l’iniziativa sta ricevendo un’ulteriore spinta con altri 44,7 milioni USD dal Rotary per finanziare le attività di immunizzazione, di sorveglianza e di ricerca, guidate dalla Global Polio Eradication Initiative, che mira a eliminare per sempre la malattia debilitante dal mondo intero entro il 2018.

La polio diventerà la seconda malattia eliminata nella storia dell’umanità (dopo il vaiolo). Ad oggi, il Rotary ha aiutato a interrompere la trasmissione della polio in 193 Paesi, attraverso le immunizzazioni di massa dei bambini. Il nuovo impegno di finanziamento del Rotary, annunciato prima della celebrazione della Giornata mondiale della polio il 24 ottobre 2014, si concentra sui Paesi i cui bambini rischiano ancora di contrarre questa malattia incurabile, ma interamente prevenibile col vaccino.

Secondo il Segretario generale del RI, John Hewko: “Non è un caso che le ultime sovvenzioni elargite dal Rotary coincidono con la Giornata mondiale della polio, che useremo per avanzare la consapevolezza (ed il supporto) alla campagna globale per eradicare una volta per tutte questa terribile malattia. Il Rotary è impegnato a relegare la polio nei libri di storia e apprezza  il sostegno di tutti mentre ci avviciniamo sempre più al traguardo di un mondo libero dalla polio”.

Secondo Hewko, la strategia della spinta finale per eradicare la polio include l’introduzione di un vaccino antipolio iniettabile, inattivo, come supplemento ai progressi realizzati tramite l’immunizzazione di 2,5 miliardi di bambini con il vaccino antipolio orale. Alla guida dell’impresa è l’azienda Sanofi Pasteur, la più grande produttrice di vaccino antipolio e co-sponsor con il Rotary di un programma speciale a Chicago per la Giornata mondiale della polio.

“Con oltre 120 Paesi che stanno introducendo il ‘Vaccino Inattivo Antipolio‘ (IPV), stiamo dando inizio all’ultimo capitolo nell’eradicazione della polio”, ha affermato Olivier Charmeil, Chief Executive Office della Sanofi Pasteur. “Alla Sanofi Pasteur, abbiamo avuto una visione a lungo termine dell’IPV come tool non plus ultra della sanità pubblica, in grado di completare l’opera iniziata con il ‘Vaccino Antipolio Orale‘ (OPV). Oggi, siamo onorati di essere al fianco del Rotary, il nostro partner storico nella lotta contro la polio”.

Circa 18,5 milioni di USD saranno destinati ai tre Paesi che continuano ad essere polio-endemici: Afghanistan (7,4 milioni USD), Nigeria (8,4 milioni USD) e Pakistan (2,7 milioni USD). Per Paese polio-endemico s’intende un Paese dove il poliovirus selvaggio non è mai stato interrotto.

Altri 9,5 milioni USD sono stati messi da parte per Paesi che erano stati liberati dalla polio ma che attualmente hanno riportato dei casi ‘importati’ dai Paesi endemici: Camerun (3,3 milioni), Etiopia (2 milioni) e Somalia (4 milioni).

10,4 milioni USD saranno destinati a Paesi liberi dalla polio che rimangono ad alto rischio: Repubblica Democratica del Congo (1,5 milioni), India (4,9 milioni), Niger (1 milione), Sud Sudan (2 milioni) e Sudan (1 milione).

I restanti 6.3 milioni USD saranno destinati alla ricerca sull’eradicazione della polio.

Il Rotary elargisce sovvenzioni ai partner dell’iniziativa per l’eradicazione della polio (UNICEF e OMS), che collaborano con i governi e i Rotariani dei Paesi affetti dalla polio, per pianificare e implementare attività d’immunizzazione. Le immunizzazioni di massa dei bambini con vaccino antipolio devono continuare fino a quando sarà realizzata l’eradicazione globale della polio.

Ad oggi, il Rotary ha contribuito oltre 1,3 miliardi di dollari per combattere la polio. Fino al 2018, la Bill e Melinda Gates Foundation si è impegnata a equiparare due dollari per ogni dollaro donato dal Rotary all’eradicazione (fino a 35 milioni USD all’anno). Fino al 2013, sono stati confermati solo 416 casi di polio nel mondo, un enorme calo rispetto ai 350.000 casi dell’anno in cui è stata lanciata l’iniziativa, nel 1988.

Evento livestream ‘End Polio Now: Make History Today’

24 ottobre 2014 – Giornata mondiale della polio, (18:30 ora locale di Chicago) sul sito: http://ow.ly/A7OKy

Per il secondo anno di seguito, il Rotary celebrerà la Giornata mondiale della polio con un evento livestream, che include un aggiornamento sullo stato globale della lotta alla polio e una vasta gamma di ospiti e artisti. L’evento a Chicago, condotto dal redattore della rivista TIME (scienza e tecnologia) Jeffrey Kluger. include i seguenti punti salienti:

• Tessanne Chin, vincitrice 2013 del concorso TV “The Voice - America”, che presenterà una canzone durante il programma e si esibirà in un concerto subito dopo l’evento;
• Ziggy Marley darà il benvenuto ai partecipanti all’evento e presenterà un pezzo in video;
• Minda Dentler, sopravvissuto alla polio e atleta Ironman, parlerà della sua storia personale;
• Commenti video da parte di Olivier Charmeil, Chief Executive Officer della Sanofi Pasteur e intervento in persona di Bernadette Hendrickx, consulente medico e scientifico del CEO della Sanofi Pasteur;
• Inoltre, il Segretario generale del Rotary, John Hewko, il Vice presidente della Fondazione Rotary, Michael McGovern e il Dott. James Alexander, epidemiologo presso i Centri statunitensi per il controllo e la prevenzione delle malattie, interverranno in persona durante l’evento.

Rotary

Il Rotary riunisce la rete globale di volontari che affrontano le questioni umanitarie più pressanti del mondo. Il Rotary connette 1,2 milioni di soci sparsi in 34.000 club in oltre 200 Paesi e aree geografiche. I Rotariani sono impegnati a migliorare la vita delle persone a livello locale e internazionale, dall’assistenza alle famiglie bisognose nella loro comunità, allo sforzo globale di liberare il mondo dalla polio. Nel 1988, il Rotary si è unito ad organizzazioni quali OMS, UNICEF e CDC per lanciare la Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Visitare rotary.org/it e endpolio.org/it per info su Rotary e il suo impegno per l’eradicazione della polio. Sono disponibili video e immagini nel Rotary Media Center.

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Comunicado de Prensa

DIFÚNDASE INMEDIATAMENTE

Contacto: Vivian Fiore - Vivian.fiore@rotary.org, Phone: +1 (847) 866-3234 (US)

En el evento livestream de esta organización humanitaria participarán importantes expertos en salud mundial, la sobreviviente de la polio Minda Dentler, la cantante de pop Tessanne Chin, la estrella del reggae Ziggy Marley y muchos más.

EVANSTON, Illinois (EE.UU.). (Oct. 21, 2014) — Poniendo en claro que nos falta "Solo esto" para que desaparezca la poliomielitis de la faz del planeta, Rotary aporta a la campaña US$ 44,7 millones más para apoyar las tareas de vacunación, vigilancia epidemiológica e investigación impulsadas por la Iniciativa Mundial para la Erradicación de la Polio, cuya finalidad es erradicar la incapacitante enfermedad viral en todo el mundo para 2018.

La polio va en camino de convertirse en la segunda enfermedad humana en ser erradicada de la faz de la tierra (la primera fue la viruela). Hasta la fecha, Rotary ha ayudado a 193 países a detener la transmisión de la polio, mediante la vacunación masiva de la población infantil. El nuevo compromiso económico de Rotary, anunciado con antelación al Día Internacional contra la Polio que se celebra el 24 de octubre, se centra en naciones en las cuales los niños siguen corriendo el riesgo de contraer esta enfermedad incurable y a la vez completamente prevenible, mediante la vacunación.

"En forma oportuna, esta nueva ronda de subvenciones de Rotary coincide con el Día Internacional contra la Polio, jornada que dedicamos a sensibilizar al público y obtener apoyo para la campaña mundial para poner fin a esa terrible enfermedad de una vez por todas", afirmó el secretario general de Rotary John Hewko, principal ejecutivo de la organización. "Rotary se ha comprometido a relegar la poliomielitis a los manuales de historia, y esperamos el apoyo de todos a medida que avanzamos hacia nuestra meta de un mundo sin polio".

Hewko indicó que la estrategia para poner punto final a la polio incluye la introducción de la vacuna inactivada inyectable, para complementar el avance alcanzado mediante la inmunización de 2.500 millones de niños con la vacuna oral antipolio. A la vanguardia de este esfuerzo se sitúa Sanofi Pasteur, la mayor empresa del mundo dedicada a la producción de vacunas, que junto a Rotary patrocina un programa especial para el Día Internacional contra la Polio que tendrá lugar en Chicago.

"Ahora que más de 120 países están introduciendo la vacuna inactivada contra la poliomielitis (VIP), damos inicio a la última etapa de la lucha para erradicar la polio", declara Olivier Charmeil, principal funcionario ejecutivo de Sanofi Pasteur. "Con perspectiva a largo plazo, en Sanofi Pasteur consideramos que la VIP es la herramienta de salud pública decisiva para concluir la labor iniciada con la vacuna oral antipolio (VOP). Hoy tenemos el honor de trabajar junto con Rotary, organización pionera en la batalla contra la polio".

Aproximadamente US$ 18,5 millones se destinarán a los tres restantes países polioendémicos: Afganistán (US$ 7,4 millones), Nigeria (US$ 8,4 millones) y Pakistán (US$ 2,7 millones). Los países polioendémicos son aquellos en los que aún circula el poliovirus salvaje.

Otra partida, de US$ 9,5 millones, se reserva para países libres de polio que notifican casos "importados" de los países endémicos: Camerún (US$ 3,5 millones), Etiopía (US$ 2 millones) y Somalia (US$ 4 millones).

Asimismo, US$ 10,4 millones, se otorgarán a países sin polio susceptibles a la reinfección: República Democrática del Congo (US$ 1,5 millones), India (US$ 4,9 millones), Níger (US$ 1 millón), Sudán del Sur (US$ 2 millones) y Sudán (US$ 1 millón).

El resto, US$ 6,3 millones, se destinará a la investigación para la erradicación de la poliomielitis.

Rotary otorga subvenciones a los actores de la iniciativa para la erradicación: el UNICEF y la Organización Mundial de la Salud, los cuales trabajan con los gobiernos y los socios de los clubes rotarios de los países afectados por la polio en la planificación y realización de las actividades de inmunización. La vacunación masiva con la vacuna oral antipolio deberá continuar hasta alcanzar la erradicación mundial.

Hasta la fecha, Rotary ha contribuido más de US$ 1.300 millones para combatir la polio. Hasta 2018 inclusive, la Fundación Bill y Melinda Gates aportará un dólar como contrapartida a cada dólar que Rotary destine a la erradicación de la polio (por un máximo de US$ 35 millones al año). En 2013, solo se habían registrado 416 casos confirmados en el mundo, una radical disminución respecto a los 350.000 casos anuales que se producían en 1988, año de comienzo de la iniciativa.

Evento livestream Pongamos fin a la polio: Hagamos historia hoy:
24 de octubre de 2014 – Día Internacional contra la Polio, (6:30 pm, hora de Chicago en: http://ow.ly/A7OKy

Por segundo año consecutivo, Rotary conmemorará el Día Internacional contra la polio con un evento livestream en el cual se brindará información sobre la lucha para poner fin a dicha enfermedad e intervendrán diversos oradores y artistas invitados. En esta transmisión, desde Chicago (en inglés), bajo la conducción de Jeffrey Kluger, jefe de redacción de ciencia y tecnología de la revista TIME, se destacarán:

• Tessanne Chin, ganadora del concurso televisivo "The Voice" en 2013, quien cantará una canción, seguida de un concierto benéfico después del evento.
• Ziggy Marley dará la bienvenida a los participantes e interpretará sus éxitos, en video.
• Minda Dentler, sobreviviente de la polio y ciclista parapléjica que participara en el Ironman World Championship, compartirá su historia personal.
• Discurso en video de Olivier Charmeil, principal funcionario ejecutivo de Sanofi Pasteur. Bernadette Hendrickx, su asesora médica y científica, pronunciará su mensaje en directo.
• Discursos de John Hewko, el vicepresidente de La Fundación Rotaria Michael McGovern y el Dr. James Alexander, jefe epidemiólogo de los Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades de EE.UU. (CDC)

Acerca de Rotary

Rotary es una red mundial de líderes voluntarios que juntos abordan los problemas más acuciantes de la humanidad. Rotary une a 1,2 millones de socios de más de 34.000 clubes rotarios en 200 países y regiones geográficas. Mediante las obras que emprenden a nivel local e internacional contribuyen a mejorar las condiciones de vida de sus comunidades, ya sea prestando asistencia a familias necesitadas o combatiendo la poliomielitis en todo el mundo. En 1988, la OMS, el UNICEF y los CDC se unieron a Rotary para emprender la Iniciativa Mundial para la Erradicación de la Polio. Para más información sobre Rotary y su labor para erradicar dicha enfermedad, visite rotary.org y endpolio.org. Si desea ver sus imágenes y videos, ingrese en el Centro mediático de Rotary.

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