Mangaluru: The pulse polio campaign will be held in two phases in the state. The first phase will begin on January 18 while the second phase will start from February 22, according to the Health and Family Welfare minister U T Khadar.

Speaking to the reporters on Friday, the minister said that the campaign is aimed to immunize over 75 lakh children who are below the age of five. The first phase includes booth activity and the second phase consists of door to door visit by health workers, he added.

“Our biggest challenge is to immunize the children of migrant workers. In order to cover all of them, we have the team and plans ready”, he added.

Mr. Khader also informed that the World Health Organization (WHO) declared India as polio-free on March 27, 2013. We do not have any cases of polio afflicted child since then, he added.

Only three countries in the entire world have reported cases of polio. Hence, those who come from Nigeria, Pakistan and Afganisthan have to be provided polio immunization certificate at the airport in order to allow them to the country.