In 1950 Polio was one of the most serious communicable diseases among children in the United States.

Thousands of children were infected by the virus, and many were paralyzed or died.

Source: Our World in Data

Hospitals developed special units with “iron lung: ventilating devices

1953 Dr. Jonas Salk successfully tested a vaccine against poliomyelitis.

In 1955, the U.S. began widespread vaccinations.

By 1979, the virus had been completely eliminated across the country.

Source: NPR

Today polio remains endemic in Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan.