Nadra-linked vaccination certificate mandatory for pilgrims from Sept 14

Starting from September 14, pilgrims embarking on Hajj and Umrah journeys will be mandated to possess a vaccination certificate connected to the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra), according to a recent announcement. Border Health Services-Pakistan (BHS-P) revealed this mandate in a notice published on September 7, detailing the necessary vaccination prerequisites for Umrah and Hajj participants.

The orders, communicated to all chief operating officers, encompass vaccinations for polio, meningitis, yellow fever, and influenza. The BHS-P emphasized that starting September 14, no traveler would be permitted to embark on their journey without the "Nadra-integrated" proof of vaccination. As per the directives from the federal government's health minister, the Federal Government Civil Dispensary is the sole authorized facility for administering vaccinations to international travelers heading to Hajj or Umrah.

To prevent any potential inconvenience, airlines were advised to strictly inform their travel agents that from this point forward, only proof of vaccination linked to Nadra will be accepted for travel. Additionally, BHS-P requested station managers of all airlines to convey to their clients that Umrah pilgrims must secure a "digital vaccine card linked to Nadra from an authorized vaccination center" prior to their departure.

Vaccination and online registration services will also be accessible at the airport in the coming days, urging passengers to arrive six hours prior to their flight if they need vaccination at the airport. The vaccination fee will be settled through Nadra’s e-Sahulat platform. In January, Pakistan had decided to implement "strict and enhanced health surveillance" at all entry points to thwart the cross-border spread of the Nipah virus.