Eradicating Polio
Thanks to persistent public health efforts, recent years have seen significant progress against polio, a vaccine-preventable disease that can lead to paralysis and death. Cases have been reduced by more than 99% since 1988, with wild polio seen in just two countries today — Pakistan and Afghanistan. But pressure must be maintained if polio is to be eradicated altogether. To this end, Bloomberg Philanthropies supports the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a partnership spearheaded by the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rotary International, and the Gates Foundation.
The GPEI receives financial support from governments of countries affected by polio; private-sector foundations, donor governments, multilateral organizations, private individuals, humanitarian and nongovernmental organizations, and corporate partners.
In December 2025, Mike Bloomberg announced an additional $100 million in support for GPEI. This brings Bloomberg Philanthropies’ total investment in the fight to eradicate polio to $325 million to date.
The Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan
The continuation of well-funded international cooperation will be key to protecting and extending this progress. Since 2013, Bloomberg Philanthropies has provided support for the Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan, a comprehensive strategy for ending the disease. Investments in stopping polio have also helped improve the overall health of communities, which are using the new knowledge and infrastructure to fight other diseases, strengthen immunization, and deliver other health services.
Polio is a disease on the verge of extinction — Bloomberg Philanthropies is helping make that a reality.
Top photo: A health worker administers polio vaccine to children during a three-day countrywide vaccination campaign in Peshawar, Pakistan. Photo credit: Shutterstock