Rotarians across Great Britain and Ireland are once again taking part in a large-scale humanitarian effort by travelling to India to administer lifesaving polio vaccinations to millions of children across the country as part of National Immunisation Day, which takes place on Sunday 21st February 2016.
Next year, organiser of the trip, Mike Yates, is looking to take a team of over 100 volunteers, which would represent the largest cohort ever from Great Britain and Ireland. To make the trip an even bigger success he is looking to encourage others to join the team and help make a difference on an international scale.
Operating in partnership with local Rotarians in India and health workers, the teams of volunteers will be spread across six locations (click to view – PDF map), all of which have been classified as being at high risk of polio infection by the World Health Organisation.
Despite India being categorised as a polio-free country, the often poor conditions and high amounts of transitory people who are yet to be immunised mean this vital work must continue in order to ensure the disease does not return to the country.
The trip is hugely rewarding for those who partake, with volunteers having the satisfaction of knowing that they have played a hands on role in what we hope will be the permanent eradication of a disease for just the second time in history. Anyone who is interested in taking part in National Immunisation Day should contact Mike Yates as soon as possible.
Further initial information about the trip can be found here (click here to read – PDF).
Published: 9th November 2015
