Young Child Smiling

On World Polio Day, Join Us on the Road to Making Polio History

Photo above: 9-year old Job, one of the last children in Kenya to contract polio. Meet Job and Sabina — a Kenyan vaccinator who will do whatever it takes to ensure that no child should ever suffer polio again — in our 360 / VR film narrated by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Ewan McGregor. 

 

One day. One focus. Ending polio. Join us October 24 for the livestream of the fourth annual World Polio Day event.

 

The world has made remarkable progress against polio in the last three decades, with cases falling by more than 99% since 1988, when the global effort to eradicate polio was launched. The virus is now only found in some of the most difficult-to-reach regions of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. 

 

On World Polio Day, it is important to acknowledge the challenges that remain, while emphasizing the tremendous progress made in all polio-free countries and the real opportunity we have to eradicate polio in the coming months and ensure that every child is able to live a polio-free life. 

 

You Are There: On the Road to Making Polio History in 360 / VR

 

 

In 1988, UNICEF joined the Global Polio Eradication Initiative along with Rotary International and other partners, launching a campaign to rid the world of polio. At the time, the highly-infectious disease was at a peak, crippling more than 350,000 children in 125 countries annually. So far this year, there have been less than 30 cases.

 

We will not stop until polio is no longer a threat to any child, anywhere. On World Polio Day, join Rotary and UNICEF in celebrating the progress we’ve made. Join us in making history.

 

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© UNICEF/2015/S.RICH