Two-time F1 World Champion and UNICEF Ambassador Fernando Alonso Appeals for a Polio-Free India, Visits Kids in Delhi Hospital

"Every child deserves the right to run, to play and to live a healthy life without polio" - Fernando Alonso

This brief article describes a strategy for calling attention to the importance of polio vaccination: engaging high-profile personnel in the effort - in particular, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Ambassadors. On October 27 2011, Fernando Alonso, two-time world champion Formula 1 Ferrari driver and UNICEF Ambassador, visited the paediatric hospital Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya, where he gave Diwali ("festival of lights") gifts to children affected with paralysis. After interacting with children, Alonso immunised five infants with oral polio vaccine. He said: "It is critical that all Indian children continue to be immunized against polio until this disease has been eradicated all over the world. We all hope that happens soon."

According to the article, India has not reported any case of polio for 9 consecutive months. The key polio reservoir states of Uttar Pradesh (which hosts the Buddh International Race Circuit that brought Alonso to India) and Bihar have not reported any cases of polio for more than a year. "This unprecedented progress follows concerted, intense and focused efforts over the years of the Union and State Governments and polio eradication partners UNICEF [the United Nations Children's Fund], WHO [World Health Organization] and Rotary International."