For many Australians, polio is something we rarely think about today. But for a generation who grew up before vaccination, it was a frightening reality that could change a child’s life forever. During the polio epidemics of the 1930s, 40s and 50s, thousands of Australians were affected. Children could be left with permanent paralysis, and some needed an iron lung to help them breathe. Families lived with uncertainty.Some Rotarians know this story personally. Suzanne MacKenzie, a member of the Rotary Club of New Farm in Brisbane, was just two years old when she contracted polio in 1948. She spent two years in a children’s home, underwent numerous operations and wore a calliper until she was 13. Rather than allowing her experiences to define her future, Suzanne went on to build a successful career and became an advocate for polio survivors. Her story reminds us that behind every statistic is a real person.
Rotary began its fight against polio in 1979 and became a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988. Since then, global cases of wild poliovirus have fallen by more than 99%, and billions of children have been protected through vaccination.
Where are we today?
In 1988, there were an estimated 350,000 cases, in 125 countries. As of 7 October 2026, just 40 cases of wild poliovirus have been reported worldwide this year; 35 in Afghanistan and 5 in Pakistan. These remain the only two countries where wild polio is endemic. Forty cases too many, but what remarkable progress!
Did you know? A single dose of oral polio vaccine costs an average of just $US 15 cents. And thanks to the Gates Foundation’s 2-to-1 matching programme, every $1 donated to Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign becomes $3 towards eradicating this disease. How many children are you willing to protect? A small donation can make a world of difference. To ensure your donation is also allocated towards your credit towards a Paul Harris Fellowship recognition, please contact me. Click on this link: Christine O’Connor.