The Polio Plus Program In 2012 the effort to end polio made historic progress. The year 2012 ended with the lowest number of new polio cases in the fewest places ever. There were fewer than 250 reported cases compared with 350,000 cases in 1985 when Rotary began the fight to end polio. There are 71 polio free countries and 125 polio endemic countries. So the fight is not over. If we do not finish the fight to eliminate this disease more than 10 million children under the age of five could be paralysed by polio in the next 40 years.  Rotary Albury Hume contributes to the polio plus program annually however I urge you to go onto the website endpolio.org and donate individually and spread the word.  For as little as $15 you can make a difference: $15= 25 doses of polio vaccine just 60 cents will protect a child for life. $25 = 50 Poster’s promoting immunisation day – This promotional tool is essential in getting parents to bring their children to vaccination areas. In India, more than 172 million children are vaccinated during a single national immunization campaign. $50 = buys 100 bright yellow vests help those seeking vaccination to recognize health workers and volunteers easily. $100 = buys 800 finger markers – After children receive the vaccine, their pinky fingers are stained with purple ink to show they’ve been immunized. This is an effective, affordable, and safe way to ensure every child is reached. $350 = 350 Vaccine Carriers Oral polio vaccine must be kept cool to remain effective. Please ask Habbie to put this in the next Bulletin to raise awareness.            Thanks …Nicole Doughty.