THE Rotary Club of Suva East is doing its best to eradicate Polio in the country.
A fundraising dinner is being organised on World Polio Day next Tuesday, October 22, to raise funds that will help in the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases.
“Many of the efforts that have helped check the spread of this disease are also effective with other vaccine-preventable diseases, support for the vaccine cold chain, disease surveillance, micro-planning, contact tracing, and Emergency Operations Centers around the world remains in place in each country for all diseases,” the club stated in a statement.
It stated that all funds would be matched on a three is to one ratio by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
“There is a perception that since this disease is nearly eradicated that it doesn’t need as much attention, but in fact, the same things that have made the fight against polio so effective continue to save lives by helping children around the world receive life-saving vaccines,” it added.
This year, the club finds the cause especially important in light of the recent increase in the number of cases of vaccine-preventable diseases, like measles in the Pacific.
“With Christmas and holiday travel coming up in just a few short months, we feel now is the time to bring attention to the importance of ongoing vaccinations across the country, specifically the measles vaccination, as well as the safety and efficacy of vaccines in general”
Dinner tickets are being sold at $30 each and can be bought at the door.
