In 1979 Rotary International started a multi-year project to immunize 6 million children in the Philippines.  

In 1988, the World Health Assembly passed a resolution to eradicate polio – to achieve its permanent reduction to zero, with no risk of reintroduction –  and in the same year, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was launched. 

The Assembly’s work towards this milestone was complemented by the efforts of Rotary International, who wanted to keep the momentum of smallpox eradication going to ensure that no child was unnecessarily paralyzed for life ever again.

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