The History
As one of the most feared diseases of the early 1900s, polio was responsible for the paralysis of up to thousands of children each year.
Since vaccines became available, the disease has been mostly eliminated. In fact, thanks to ongoing public health efforts, cases have dropped by over 99% since 1988, with wild polio now endemic in only two countries – Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI)
Founded with the goal of ensuring that no child is ever again paralyzed by any form of poliovirus, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is a partnership led by the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rotary International, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the Gates Foundation, with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies.
The GPEI receives funding from governments of polio-affected countries, private foundations, donor governments, multilateral groups, individuals, NGOs, and corporate partners.
From enhancing data collection systems for detecting and reporting poliovirus cases to strengthening immunization responses, the GPEI utilizes proven strategies while remaining flexible to work towards the total eradication of the disease.
New Developments
In 2025, international leaders, philanthropists, and global health partners announced a collective $1.9 billion to advance polio eradication. The funds will boost essential efforts to reach 370 million children annually with polio vaccines, while also strengthening health systems in affected countries to protect children from other preventable diseases.
As our founder Mike Bloomberg said, “Bloomberg Philanthropies has been teaming up with the Gates Foundation for more than a decade to eradicate polio – and we are within striking distance of what would be a monumental achievement.”
With a new $100 million in support of the GPEI and our partners around the world, we have invested $325 million to date to help spare people from the terrible effects of this disease.
The Bottom Line
Polio is a disease that is on the verge of extinction. Through collaboration and action, we can make a polio-free world a reality.