Biratnagar, Feb. 18: The Measles-Rubella and Polio Immunisation campaign kicks off in State 1 from today.

The campaign supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO) includes children from birth to five years of age. It aims to eliminate measles, rubella and polio, the life threatening health issues for children.

Under the state-level campaign, children from 0-5 years of age will be immunised against polio, a disabling and life-threatening disease and children from nine months to five years of age will be vaccinated against measles-rubella, another life-threatening health issue.

A total of 427,012 children in the state are targeted to be vaccinated for measles-rubella and a total of 305,342 children are targeted to be included in the polio immunisation.

"The state government is committed not to preclude any child of the required age groups from the vaccination drive which will run in two phases," said Health Directorate Dhankuta's director Chandra Dev Mehata.

There are 8,151 immunisations centers, health workers to the equal number and 16,304 volunteers for the operation of campaign.

However, the polio administration campaign is to be organised only in Sunsari, Morang, and Jhapa districts, out of 14 districts.

State 1 social development minister Jeevan Ghimire inaugurated the campaign by administering polio drops to two year and four months baby girl Nitya Shah of Katahari in Morang today.

Describing the campaign as an effort to save children, the future of nation from diseases, the minister said and urged on the local level representatives for cooperation to make the campaign successful.