.svg)
Let's come together to celebrate World Polio Day on October 24! This day was created in 1988 by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, and it is celebrated around the world. It serves as a reminder of how far we have come in fighting against polio since then. While there are still cases of this devastating disease, progress has been made toward its eradication through prevention and immunization initiatives.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1955</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Polio Vaccine Discovered</div><div class='timeline-text'>Dr. Jonas Salk introduced the first effective vaccine against polio, which was immediately put into use to prevent further cases of the disease.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1961</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Oral Polio Vaccine Introduced</div><div class='timeline-text'>The oral polio vaccine, developed by Albert Sabin, was licensed for use, providing an easier method for immunization against the disease.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1979</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Polio Eradicated in the U.S.</div><div class='timeline-text'>After extensive vaccination efforts, the United States reported its last case of wild poliovirus, marking a significant milestone in polio eradication.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1988</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Global Polio Eradication Initiative Launched</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a public-private partnership led by national governments, was launched, marking the inception of World Polio Day.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2002</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Polio Eradicated in Europe</div><div class='timeline-text'>The World Health Organization declared Europe polio-free, following successful immunization campaigns across the continent.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Africa Declared Free from Wild Polio</div><div class='timeline-text'>Africa reached a milestone by interrupting transmission of the wild poliovirus, leaving the global eradication of polio within closer reach.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Donate to organizations fighting polio</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Make a donation to the World Health Organization or another organization dedicated to fighting polio and helping those affected by it.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Participate in a fundraising event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Organize a 5k, bake sale, or other fundraising event and donate the proceeds to an organization fighting against polio.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Share information about polio</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Share articles, blogs, and videos about polio on social media platforms or create your own content to spread awareness of the disease.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer with an organization</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find a local organization that works towards eradicating polio and volunteer with them. This could involve helping out at vaccination clinics or spreading awareness about the disease in your community.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Write letters to your legislators</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Write letters to your local and national legislators to urge them to support efforts for global polio eradication.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>World Polio Day raises awareness of the disease</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Raising awareness about polio is important for people to understand both its history and current effects. World Polio Day serves as a reminder of the importance of vaccinations in the prevention of this terrible disease, and how we can help eradicate it through global immunization efforts.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates progress towards eradication</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Since 1988, thanks to widespread collaboration among governments, international organizations, civil society, philanthropies and individuals, we have seen great progress in the effort to eradicate polio. World Polio Day serves as an opportunity to celebrate our collective successes in fighting this disease as well as plan further strategies for eliminating it from the face of the Earth.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It helps raise funds for vaccine networks</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Organizations like Rotary International are instrumental in providing financial support to vaccination networks around the world which allow us to get closer to our goal of global eradication. World Polio Day also serves as an opportunity for communities all around the planet to come together and raise money for these networks so that more children can be protected from this debilitating disease.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Polio is thought to have existed for thousands of years</h3><p class='facts-content'>Ancient Egyptian paintings and carvings depict individuals with withered limbs, a typical sign of polio. This suggests that the disease has been affecting humankind for millennia.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Polio Primarily Affects Children Under the Age of Five</h3><p class='facts-content'>Polio often affects infants and young children, making immunization critical in early childhood. That's why global vaccination initiatives usually target children under the age of five.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There is No Cure for Polio, Only Prevention</h3><p class='facts-content'>There is no known cure for poliomyelitis. Prevention through vaccination remains the most effective strategy against this infectious disease.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Famous People Have Suffered from Polio</h3><p class='facts-content'>Notable figures such as U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and musician Neil Young both suffered from polio, demonstrating that the disease can affect anyone, regardless of status or wealth.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Polio Cases Have Decreased by 99.9% Since 1988</h3><p class='facts-content'>The global initiative to eradicate Polio has been a major success. Remarkably, cases have decreased by 99.9% since 1988, with fewer than 100 cases reported worldwide in recent years.</p></div></div>
World Polio Day is celebrated on October 24 every year. In 2024, World Polio Day will occur on a Thursday.
2023
Oct 24
Tuesday
2024
Oct 24
Thursday
2025
Oct 24
Friday
2026
Oct 24
Saturday
2027
Oct 24
Sunday
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
