POSITION
As the first organization to envision a polio-free world through the mass immunization of children, Rotary believes the decision to vaccinate against COVID-19 is a civic and humanitarian imperative.
MAIN POINTS
- Rotary is strongly encouraging all eligible people, including its members, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
- In areas where the coronavirus is surging, communities are facing extreme challenges, health systems are overwhelmed, and contentious rhetoric is dividing us.
- We are requesting our global membership to continue to:
- support equity in vaccine access for all people,
- combat misinformation hindering the fight against COVID-19,
- recognize the lifesaving services provided by health workers, and
- personally support the effort by getting vaccinated.
- Global vaccination is the pathway to ending the coronavirus pandemic and the emergence of new variants.
- We believe it is critical for the global community to contain the coronavirus through vaccination and continued prevention measures.
FAQ
How is Rotary helping to support global vaccination against COVID-19?
- Our long-term commitment to fighting disease meant that we were prepared to respond when the pandemic struck.
- Rotary has provided over US$ 49 million in grants for projects related to COVID-19, and members have donated supplies, sourced PPE, supported hospitals and health workers, and publicly highlighted the efficacy of vaccines.
- Globally, Rotary is actively engaged in assuring equity in vaccine access for all people.
Are you encouraging all Rotary members to be vaccinated against COVID-19? Does Rotary support vaccine mandates?
- As the first organization to envision a polio-free world through the mass immunization of children, Rotary believes the decision to vaccinate against COVID-19 is a civic and humanitarian imperative. We strongly encourage vaccination for all individuals, including our members.
- Rotary is a non-political global network of community leaders. We are not involved in government policy-making discussions, nor are we acting in a political manner on this issue.
What is the current plan for having RI employees return to the office?
- Rotary’s World Headquarters staff at One Rotary Center in Evanston will resume in-person office operations beginning Monday, 10 January 2022.
- Rotary International has joined a growing number of employers who are requiring COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, as a condition of employment.
- Proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 is required for anyone entering Rotary International’s world headquarters in Evanston.
How can Rotary – a non-health organization – responsibly issue an endorsement of the COVID-19 vaccine and encourage people to be immunized?
- Rotary always aims to use accepted scientific data to drive impact. Vaccines have proven to be one of the greatest advances of modern medicine.
- Rotary’s efforts to eradicate polio – our flagship program since 1985, has only been successful because of vaccinations.
- In addition to polio eradication, two of our seven areas of focus – disease prevention and treatment and maternal and child health – rely upon vaccinations.
- The World Health Organization estimates that vaccines save between 2 to 3 million children’s lives each year, and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative estimates the polio vaccine has saved 20 million children from paralysis.
- Vaccines are safe, effective and are responsible for eliminating or controlling many other vaccine-preventable diseases such as smallpox, measles, rubella, and Ebola. And now, there is the opportunity to end the COVID-19 pandemic through vaccines.
Is Rotary’s endorsement of COVID-19 vaccination a departure from your non-political stance? Are we getting too political?
- We’re following the science and data around COVID-19, which clearly indicate that unvaccinated individuals are significantly more likely to contract the virus, become ill, require hospitalization, or die compared with those that are fully vaccinated.
- Misinformation is hindering the fight against COVID-19, and we are committed to providing our members with science-based information.
- Our support for vaccination is not about politics, it’s about safety and humanity.
- For more information, please contact Rotarysupportcenter@Rotary.org.
Will this endorsement of COVID-19 vaccinations take the focus away from Rotary’s other causes like polio eradication?
- The eradication of polio remains a goal of the highest order for Rotary. We can apply the lessons we have learned in fighting polio to the efforts in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
I thought Rotary was non-political. I am/members of my club are/my entire club is threatening to leave Rotary because of this endorsement of COVID-19 vaccinations.
- Rotary is a non-political global network of community leaders.
- While we’re actively engaged on societal issues that impact our communities, Rotary is not involved in government policy-making discussions, nor are we acting in a political manner on this issue.
- Rotary has long supported disease prevention and eradication through vaccinations.
- We hope you or the members of your club reconsider, but we respect your decision. Please do continue your efforts to make the world a better place through volunteer service.
If enough people are upset with this endorsement of COVID-19 vaccinations, will you change your mind?
- Our endorsement of COVID-19 vaccination was a unanimous decision made by the Rotary International Board of Directors and The Rotary Foundation Trustees. We stand firmly behind our position and expect there will be continued support from the Rotary family.