If you, like me ponder the relative importance of Rotary’s Polio+ campaign in today’s humanitarian & economic context do read on.   

If you are like others are wondering how, as Rotarians, we can engage our giving public with Polio+, when so many other causes deserve attention, please don’t switch off.  If you are just one who have personally been touched by this (now) preventable disease, you will appreciate this compelling documentary on why we should support Polio plus.

The documentary, with supporting trailors feature Rotary in its credits. More importantly it explains the cultural and political challenges faced by volunteers, and why we should support them and go that final inch to finally eradicate the remaining 2% of poliomyelitis which causes unnecessary death, deformity and dependency.

Nearly 50 years after a vaccine for polio was developed, the polio virus still finds refuge in some of the world's most vulnerable places. Today it is just a plane ride away from our shores.

Released just days ago, this documentary short, nominated for a 2008 Academy Award®, shows how one group out of a total of some 4 million dedicated health volunteers in India go door-to-door every six to eight weeks, vaccinating millions of children under five, overcoming physical, logistical and sometimes cultural barriers to ensure every child takes the oral polio vaccine. On 22nd April some 167 million will be vaccinated in India alone. 

If you, like others had reservations about the wisdom of launching Rotary’s ‘End Polio Now‘  campaign (Polio+), the final inch should allay them. Produced by HBO, with support of the Google Foundation, the full length documentary runs for 38 minutes.  You van view the 2 minute trailer with related clips here  

According to Rotary's own 1 minute youtube video, over the years, Rotary Club members have helped immunise over 2 billion children. Should we stop now?