Polio vaccination must for Umrah pilgrims

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.