Polio

What is polio?

Polio, also called poliomyelitis, is an infectious disease that causes muscle weakness. It can result in long term disability.

How many cases of polio were there?

By the 1950s, about 8,000 cases of polio were reported in Britain each year.

When was a vaccination introduced for polio?

Jonas Salk developed a vaccination for polio in the US. In 1956, it was introduced into Britain.

What was the result of the polio vaccination?

Due to the introduction of the vaccination for polio, the last known case of polio in Britain was reported in 1984.