The polio vaccine is used primarily to prevent and eradicate polio, which is often referred to as poliomyelitis. The polio vaccine can be used to prevent your child from developing polio. Because polio is so dangerous, the vast majority of infants infected with polio are left with atrophied muscles and deformities of the lower limbs, which are irreversible and result in lifelong disabilities. The polio vaccine is also effective in preventing this from happening.