Whereas World Polio Day highlights the global efforts to end poliomyelitis (polio) worldwide. Polio is a life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus, which the World Health Assembly committed to eradicate in 1988. The WHO European Region was declared polio-free in 2002 and has sustained this status every year since then; and

Whereas every year on 24 October, we observe World Polio Day to raise awareness of the importance of polio vaccination to protect every child from this devastating disease and to celebrate the many parents, professionals and volunteers whose contributions make polio eradication achievable; and

Whereas to ensure a polio-free future for everyone, efforts must continue to maintain high immunization coverage, implement high-quality surveillance to detect any presence of the virus, and prepare to respond in the event of an outbreak; and

Whereas October 24 World Polio Day is a time for Rotary members, public health advocates, and all who want a world free from polio to come together, recognize our progress in the fight to end polio, and talk about the actions we need to take end polio for good.

Therefore, I, Mayor Lynn Dollin on behalf of the Town of Innisfil hereby proclaim October 24, 2024, as World Polio Day.