Polio happens when a tiny germ called poliovirus sneaks into your body and makes your throat and gut sick.
You may think it’s the flu, but it’s not.

If that tiny villain reaches your brain or spine, it can mess up your nervous system—the part that controls movement—making it hard or even impossible for kids to walk.

It’s like a car brake: the germ presses the brake and sometimes never lets go.

But don’t worry! We have special shots called polio vaccines that protect our bodies from this terrible germ.