The rector of the Miguel Hernández University (UMH) of Elche, Juan José Ruiz Martínez, inaugurated the exhibition “Let’s End Polio” at the Sant Joan d’Alacant campus. The exhibition, organized by the Rotary Club of Alicante, also unveiled a new bust of Francisco Xavier Balmis i Berenguer, created by the artist Miguel Bañuls. These activities are part of the bicentenary commemoration of the death of Francisco Xavier Balmis i Berenguer.

Throughout 2019, various events have taken place to celebrate the bicentenary of the surgeon and doctor from Alicante, Francisco Xavier de Balmis (1753-1819), who led the Royal Philanthropic Expedition of the Smallpox Vaccine.