01 / The world before
Polio epidemics frightened communities and could leave children with paralysis.
02 / The discovery
Effective vaccines arrived in the mid-twentieth century, beginning with Salk’s inactivated vaccine.
03 / The people
Researchers, trial participants, health workers and vaccination teams.
04 / The obstacles
Safety, access and trust require ongoing work; eradication is not complete.
05 / The world after
Polio incidence declined sharply where vaccination became widespread.
06 / Why it still matters
Continued immunization and surveillance matter.