World Polio Eradication Day 2017
Proclamation
World Polio Eradication Day
October 24, 2017
WHEREAS, it is estimated by Rotary International over a decade ago, World Polio Day is held on October 24th in celebration of the birth of Dr. Jonas Salk, the man who led the first team to develop a vaccine against polio. The development of the polio vaccine reduced polio worldwide by 99%; and
WHEREAS, Rotary International decided to take on the challenge of eliminating polio around the world back in 1985, 2.5 billion people throughout 122 countries have been inoculated. While tremendous progress has been made since 1988, pockets of wild poliovirus remain, leaving unvaccinated children at risk of lifelong, irreversible paralysis; and
WHEREAS, in light of continued polio outbreaks and funding shortages, the 65th World Health Assembly declared the completion of polio eradication a global public health programmatic emergency in May 2012, resulting in a global intensification of polio vaccination activities;
WHEREAS, today, there are just 17 cases of polio therefore, the vaccine will continue around the globe and will not stop until polio is eliminated totally worldwide; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Corporation of the Town of Pelham does hereby proclaim October 24, 2017 as World Polio Eradication Day; and
THAT the Pelham arches be lit in blue and yellow on October 24th, 2017 in support of World Polio Eradication Day.
DATED AT the Town of Pelham this 16th day of October, 2017.
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MAYOR DAVE AUGUSTYN
TOWN OF PELHAM