But vaccine-preventable infectious diseases remain killers on a huge scale worldwide. Through travel and immigration, these diseases can easily reenter the U.S. population - if residents become complacent and forego immunizations.
Many diseases continue to take an unnecessarily large toll in the United States.
Influenza and related complications, for example, cause 20,000 to 40,000 deaths a year, mainly among the elderly and very young. The grants are intended for new projects in the USA, undertaken by Rotarians together with other community groups, which address immunization needs of underserved people of all ages. The grants are the result of a generous gift by Jack Blane, past governor of RI District 6440, and his wife, Joan. For decades, Jack Blane has worked tirelessly for immunization. Former chairman of the USA National PolioPlus Committee, he currently chairs the Immunization, Education and Action Committee of Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, a national coalition to which Rotary International belongs.