Umrah vaccine exemption ends

The centre will provide vaccination services round-the-clock for travellers requiring polio, meningitis, yellow fever and other applicable vaccines.The deadline for enforcing mandatory meningitis and polio vaccinations for Umrah pilgrims, as well as yellow fever vaccination requirements for travellers to certain destinations in Africa and North America, had been extended twice between September 5 and October 10.Border Health Services officials said Pakistani passport holders travelling abroad must receive the vaccines required….

Travellers have been advised to fulfil all applicable vaccination requirements before departure and ensure that their vaccination certificates are verified.Dr Ghulam Murtaza Shah, focal person for Border Health, told The Express Tribune that arrangements had been made at the airport centre to provide vaccinations and issue certificates.In the next phase, centres in Larkana and Hyderabad will be activated to help residents of rural Sindh obtain the required vaccinations and certificates….

Payments can be made through NADRA's Pak ID application.The prescribed fee for meningitis vaccination at Karachi airport is Rs2,785, while the influenza vaccine costs Rs1,720.

The influenza vaccine remains effective for one year and the meningitis vaccine for three years.

Polio vaccination will be provided free of charge.According to Border Health Services, the influenza vaccine is applicable to travellers aged one year and above, while the meningitis vaccine is required for those aged 12 and above, subject to the relevant travel regulations.

International travellers are also required to receive a polio vaccine once a year, depending on their destination and applicable rules.Under the current arrangements, pregnant women will be administered only the influenza vaccine, while breastfeeding mothers may receive influenza, polio and meningitis vaccines.

Foreign nationals are exempted from applicable vaccination requirements.Officials said, travellers facing difficulties with biometric verification of their vaccination certificates would be referred to authorised staff.Payment receipts generated through NADRA, Pak ID or e-Sahulat will remain valid for 90 days.

Five NADRA facilitation counters have also been established at the airport dispensary to assist travellers.Meanwhile, the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) has introduced special arrangements to help passengers affected by flight delays and cancellations at airports across the country amid the prevailing regional situation.According to a PAA spokesperson, special counters have been established at Karachi airport and other airports nationwide to guide affected passengers, address their concerns and provide necessary information.The….

Umrah vaccine exemption ends Aftab Khan | Updated 6 minutes ago | Meningitis, polio vaccinations for Umrah, yellow fever for some destinations mandatory.