close
Saturday March 22, 2025

Polio vaccination must for Umrah pilgrims

Vaccination should not be more than six months old at time of departure

By Our Correspondent
February 11, 2025
Representational image shows worshippers and pilgrims gathering at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca on June 25, 2023. — AFP
Representational image shows worshippers and pilgrims gathering at the Grand Mosque in the holy city of Mecca on June 25, 2023. — AFP

ISLAMABAD: The Saudi authorities have announced that polio vaccination is mandatory for the Umrah pilgrims from Pakistan, the spokesman of Ministry of Religious Affairs on Monday said.

In a letter, the Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation has directed Umrah pilgrims to receive the polio vaccination at least four weeks prior to their departure and to carry the vaccination certificate with them.

The vaccination should not be more than six months old at the time of departure. All Umrah pilgrims and relevant institutions have been asked to strictly implement this condition to avoid offloading of pilgrims from the plane. The sources said the same condition will also apply on Haj pilgrims.