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NIGERIA’S ONE-YEAR MILESTONE

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An Important Milestone This 24 July marks one year since Nigeria’s last case of wild poliovirus. That’s the longest period the country has gone without a case of the dis-ease. This achievement has particular significance, because Nigeria is one of only three countries in the world in which polio is still endemic. When the disease is eradicated in Nigeria, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, the world will be free of polio.

A few weeks later, 11 August will mark one year since the last case of polio in Africa: a case in Somalia that came at the end of an outbreak in the Horn of Africa. Africa’s countries have overcome significant challenges — including lack of security and difficulty reaching children in remote places — to protect their children from polio.

Rotary has played an important role in reaching these milestones. Rotarians have dedicated their time and their personal resources to keep children safe from this disease by immunizing them, donating money, raising funds, and urging governments to support the cause. Rotary has donated $688.5 million to fight polio throughout Africa, including more than $200 million designated for Nigeria.

While this is notable progress, we haven’t finished the job yet.

AFGHANISTAN

NIGERIA

PAKISTAN

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Too Soon to CelebrateBefore Africa can be certified polio-free, all countries in the region, including Nigeria, must pass two more years without a case of polio. To achieve this, we must make sure all children in Nigeria continue to receive the polio vaccine, including those in hard-to-reach and underserved areas. Maintaining high-quality immunization campaigns and disease surveillance throughout the continent is essential.

Now more than ever, we need the support of Rotarians, partners, and governments.

As recently as June, Rotary granted $19 million to support polio eradication efforts in Africa, including $9.9 million for Nigeria. By continuing to support polio eradication in these final years of the campaign, we ensure the best possible chance that 11 August 2014 marked the very last case of polio in Africa.

Spread the news that we’re making progress, but this is only one step on the final road to polio eradication. Support Rotary’s continued efforts to fight polio by donating at endpolio.org.

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Marking the MilestoneYou can raise awareness of this progress — as well as the need for continued commitment to polio eradication — through a number of channels:

Distribute a press release to news outlets in your area, to tell your community about your role in the fight to end polio. Customize this press release template and send it to editors and news directors at local media outlets. http://endpolio.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/africa-milestone-press-release-template.docx?sfvrsn=2

Send an op-ed to your local paper. Customize this sample op-ed for publication in your local newspaper. Check your paper’s guidelines (e.g., word count) and then send it to the op-ed or editorial features editor for consideration. http://www.endpolio.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/africa-milestone-op-ed-template.docx?sfvrsn=2

Share news on social media and encourage your networks to donate. This tool kit includes sample posts and shareable content that you can download.

Thank politicians for their support of polio eradication. Governments are the biggest donors to polio eradication efforts worldwide. Where it’s appropriate, thank politicians for government support, let them know about the tremendous progress in Africa, and urge them to continue their financial support of polio eradication until we end this disease for good. http://www.endpolio.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/africa-milestone-letter-of-support.docx?sfvrsn=2

Donate. Every dollar Rotary commits for polio up to $35 million per year will be matched 2 to 1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through 2018.

Host a club meeting or event dedicated to polio eradication. Consider inviting local journalists and prospective Rotarians to attend the meeting and learn about this major public health milestone, Rotary’s role, and what is needed to finish the job.

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Timeline

Mid-July l Send op-ed to editor at local

newspaper for publication on or after 24 July.

24 July l Check polioeradication.org to confirm

that Nigeria hasn’t had any new polio cases.

lSend a press release to local media.

lShare the good news on social media, using Rotary graphics, infographics, and video. Urge your networks to recommit to ending polio by donating and learning more at endpolio.org.

lFollow @Rotary and @EndPolioNow on social media for Rotary news stories, blog posts, and videos about this milestone. Share them with your own followers.

lDonate to PolioPlus by visiting endpolio.org.

11 August lCheck polioeradication.org to confirm

that Africa hasn’t had any new cases.

lShare the good news on social media. Urge your networks to recommit to ending polio by donating and learning more at endpolio.org.

lDonate to PolioPlus by visiting endpolio.org.

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Messagesl July 24 marks one year since the last case of wild poliovirus in

Nigeria. This is the longest Nigeria has ever gone without a case of polio, and it’s a critical step on the path toward a polio-free Africa.

l Rotarians played an essential role in helping Nigeria (on 24 July) and Africa (on 11 August) reach one year without a case of polio.

l Rotarians have donated $688.5 million to fight polio throughout Africa, including more than $200 million for Nigeria.

l Rotarians have contributed countless hours to immunize children.

l We are on the cusp of a polio-free world. But we aren’t there yet. We need to go two more years without a case of polio in Nigeria to certify the African region polio-free. Rotarians, governments, and other partners must continue to keep polio eradication a top priority.

l The efforts of Rotarians — raising funds, advocating with governments, and raising awareness — are now more important than ever.

l Maintaining high-quality immunization activities and increasing surveillance capacity will be key to sustaining a polio-free Nigeria.

l Until polio is eliminated everywhere, it can return, so we must continue to protect all children from this disease, particularly those in hard-to-reach and underserved areas.

l In 2014, nearly 90 percent of the world’s polio cases occurred in Pakistan. If we can turn the tide and end polio in Pakistan — and also in Afghanistan, the only other polio-endemic country — a polio-free world is within reach. So far in 2015, we’ve seen promising progress, with a 70 percent reduction in cases in Pakistan compared with 2014.

l Through efforts to end polio in Africa, the world learned important lessons and best practices, which are already being applied to tackle other health issues.

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Sample Twitter Posts(Click Twitter symbol to share now)

24 July Thanks to the Global Polio Eradication, which is working to

#endpolio in Nigeria. @CDCgov @gatesfoundation @UNICEF @WHO @Rotary

Thanks to hardworking vaccinators, #Nigeria has not seen a polio case for 1 year. Help us reach a polio-free Africa. (Download share graphics from page 9)

Nigeria’s year without a polio case is a critical step toward a polio-free Africa. Help us #endpolio globally: endpolio.org/donate

11 August There have been no new polio cases in Africa for more than

1 year, but we still have work to do to #endpolio. (Download share graphics from page 9)

Thanks to @Rotary members who contribute time & energy to immunize children in Africa. Help us finish the fight. (Download share graphics from page 9)

Though we’ve seen a year without new polio cases in Africa, until polio is eliminated everywhere, it can return. #endpolio

Help us spread the word that until polio is eliminated every-where, it can return. All children must be immunized to #endpolio for good.

We’re close to a polio-free world, but it’s still endemic in 3countries. Donate now and @gatesfoundation will triple the gift. #endpolio

In 2014, Pakistan had nearly 90% of the world’s polio cases. Help us turn the tide, so we can #endpolio globally:

http://ow.ly/NCNAi

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Sample Facebook Posts

24 July The last case of polio in Africa was in August 2014. Learn what Rotary is doing to end polio globally: endpolio.org (Download share graphics from page 9)

Nigeria may be removed from the list of polio-endemic countries soon. Help Nigeria keep polio from returning within its borders by donating today: http://ow.ly/NCOhn

We are close to having a polio-free world, but we aren’t there yet. Nigeria must go two more years without a polio case before the African region can be certified polio-free. Join us in the fight: endpolio.org

24 July marks one year since Nigeria’s last polio case. To reach a polio-free Africa, we must maintain high-quality immunization activities and increase surveillance capacity. Donate today to help us finish the fight: endpolio.org/donate

11 August Africa has gone one year without a polio case. It must still go two more before the World Health Organization (WHO) certifies the region polio-free. Join us in the fight to end polio: endpolio.org.

Thank you to Rotary members across the world for helping Africa reach one year without a polio case. We still have work to do and you can help. Donate today, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will triple your contribution: endpolio.org/donate

Though Africa has seen no polio cases for an entire year, until polio is eliminated everywhere, it can return. We must remem-ber that all children must continue to be protected against this disease. Donate to help end polio for good: http://ow.ly/NCPdY

There are only three countries that are still polio-endemic. In 2014, Pakistan accounted for nearly 90% of the world’s polio cases. Learn how we can turn the tide and eradicate polio globally: endpolio.org

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Share GraphicsDownload all Nigeria/Africa Milestone materials

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Infographics

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Video

Thank You!Rotary launched the first effort to immunize all children against polio in 1985. Since then, Rotary members have been unflagging in their leadership to end this disease, donating their time and personal resources to protect children everywhere.

The leadership of Rotarians has been critical to helping the world see this remarkable progress: Africa going its longest period to date without a case of polio.

Rotary members will continue to play a crucial role as we now take the final steps to end this disease.

Play a part in making history. Visit endpolio.org to donate and learn more.

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