| What is PolioPlus and what does it do? |
Dr. Pandak said the PolioPlus program is part of Rotary International, and its goal is to eradicate polio. The main way that PolioPlus can do this is by raising money; it has already raised over US$533 million. This program raises money in several ways such as selling t-shirts and banners. PolioPlus buys radio spots, and the staff works with other world organizations to eradicate polio. PolioPlus just had National Immunization Day to raise money. The program has numerous volunteers that help all over the world. These volunteers immunize local people and encourage parents to immunize their children. They immunize children all over the world including India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Niger.
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| How many Rotary Clubs are there and how do they raise money? |
Rotary International has 30,000 different branches in 166 countries. Rotary raises money differently in different areas of the world because of cultural differences. In the United States, there may be a golf tournament or a gala dinner. In Europe, PolioPlus may do things a little more “high class," such as symphonies or operas.
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| Which vaccine for polio do you use the IPV (Inactivated Polio vaccine) or the OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine)? |
Dr. Pandak explained that Rotary uses the OPV for several reasons. First, the OPV only costs about 10 cents a dose, and children need 6 doses; therefore, the cost for one child would only be 60 cents. The OPV is very easy to give and there is no need for a doctor. The OPV requires only a volunteer to place 2 drops of the OPV in the child’s mouth. Also, it is very effective because it contains the live polio virus, and is more effective. Lastly, the OPV takes advantage of the poor sanitation in third world countries. After, the OPV is administered, some of the vaccine is secreted, which in countries without proper sanitation eventually ends up in the water supply. This furthers the spread of the vaccine.
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| When do you expect polio to be eradicated? |
The target for polio eradication is 2005. However, for the polio eradiation to be certified there cannot be a case reported in 3 years. If there are no more cases after 2005, the eradication of polio will be certified by 2008. Another requirement for certification is the securing of any vials of the virus.
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| Why did Rotary International pick polio as their main focus? |
Dr. Pandak related that Rotary was looking for an immunization project in which numerous clubs and organizations could participate. In the 1980’s, when Rotary International chose polio, the global rate of childhood polio vaccinations went up to 80 or 90 percent. Rotary also chose it because many Rotarians remembered times when polio was a threat in the United States. They definitely related to the polio threat, and remembered friends and siblings that had it and their parents not letting them out of the house at the risk of catching polio.
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| How did you come to work for PolioPlus? |
She originally was the coordinator for the volunteer education and training program. She was then promoted into the PolioPlus program. Dr. Pandak has a doctorate in education, which aided her in communication throughout Rotary International.
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| What can kids do to help? |
Kids can help with the fundraising. Rotary has a great project that many high schools can do, and many have adopted to do. Rotary calls it the Purple Pinky Project. The origins of this project relate back to the actual immunization of children. In other countries, when a child receives a vaccine, his/her pinky is dyed purple. This allows volunteers to be able roam the village and vaccinate any child without a purple pinky. In high schools, students pay one dollar to get their pinky dyed "purple" (usually using nail polish). One school raised nearly US$1200 in just a course of three days.
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