- Vaccinate requirements cover polio, meningitis, fever, influenza.
- Pilgrims can travel without vaccination clearance until new deadline.
- Previously govt set Sept 14 deadline to obtain vaccination certificate.
The authorities have extended the deadline for Umrah pilgrims to obtain the National Database and Registration Authority’s (Nadra) vaccination certificate to September 25, Border Health Services said in a statement on Monday.
The vaccination requirements cover polio, meningitis, yellow fever and influenza.
The decision came as Umrah pilgrims faced difficulty in obtaining the Nadra certificate due to just one vaccination centre being set up for travellers at the Federal Civil Dispensary near Jinnah International Airport’s old terminal.
The Ministry of Health advised travellers heading abroad to apply for vaccination at least 10 days before their departure.
The ministry said travellers were required to register on Nadra’s Pak ID app or they can register via Nadra e-Sahulat centres.
The federal government has digitalised vaccination by linking it with the Nadra to eliminate forgery, the official added.
The decision brought relief to thousands of pilgrims intending to travel for Umrah, as the authority had previously set a deadline of September 14 (today) for obtaining a vaccination certificate from the Nadra.
In an earlier notification, the authority had said the requirement would initially apply to passengers travelling from Karachi, while restrictions would subsequently be extended to Peshawar, Islamabad and Lahore airports.
The focal person had said that vaccination will be made mandatory for Hajj pilgrims as well, following requirements applicable to Umrah pilgrims and travellers to certain countries.
Dr Murtaza Bukhari said that the Federal Government Civil Dispensary was the only authorised centre for obtaining the required vaccinations.
Umrah pilgrims have been advised to obtain their certificates from an authorised Nadra vaccination centre before travelling.
Moreover, travellers arriving from Africa, Central America, and South America will be required to have a yellow fever vaccination certificate.