Authorities have extended the vaccination deadline for Umrah pilgrims by another 15 days, allowing travel under the reported exemption until October 10. The decision comes as passengers struggle to obtain digital vaccination certificates in Karachi.
Focal person Dr Murtaza Shah said the extension would facilitate pilgrims and give authorities time to improve arrangements.
The announcement concerns local travel processing. Saudi Arabia’s published health requirements separately require meningococcal vaccination for Umrah pilgrims, so travellers should not interpret it as a Saudi exemption.
More facilities planned for pilgrims
Shah said authorities had established five NADRA facilitation centres at the Karachi Airport dispensary. Vaccination services at the Jacob Lines dispensary would begin the following week.
The expansion follows complaints about overcrowding at the Federal Civil Dispensary near the airport’s Old Terminal. The federal Ministry of Health established the vaccination centre there to serve pilgrims and other international passengers.
Read More: King Salman Opens Doors to 1,000 International Umrah Guests
According to the September 23 report, thousands of passengers faced difficulties because only one vaccination centre was serving them. Its single-room arrangement caused congestion, with elderly passengers, women and infants particularly affected by inadequate facilities.
Passengers and Umrah pilgrims demanded additional vaccination centres and better facilities to reduce delays.
Digital certificates create departure pressure
Authorities have started issuing digital vaccination certificates for Umrah pilgrims and people travelling abroad. The federal government has linked the process with NADRA to help prevent forged certificates.
Under the reported procedure, passengers must register through NADRA’s Pak ID app. International travellers can also register through NADRA e-Sahulat centres.
The report said Pakistan’s arrangements made influenza and meningitis vaccinations mandatory for Umrah pilgrims.
Several passengers complained that they had waited at the centre since 8am without receiving clear information. Others said their flights would depart within 12 to 15 hours, but they still lacked vaccination certificates.
The Ministry of Health advised passengers to approach vaccination centres 10 days before travelling abroad.
Separately, The Express Tribune reported plans for a round-the-clock International Traveller Vaccination Centre at Karachi airport from September 24. It listed meningitis vaccination at Rs2,785 and influenza vaccination at Rs1,720, with polio vaccination free.
Saudi vaccination requirements remain separate
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health outlines its own requirements in its published 2026 Umrah guidance. It requires meningococcal vaccination at least 10 days before arrival.
The guidance accepts qualifying conjugate vaccines administered within the previous five years. It accepts the quadrivalent polysaccharide vaccine within a three-year validity period.
Read More: Saudi Arabia Breaks Umrah Record with 904,000 Pilgrims on Ramadan Day 4
Saudi guidance also requires travellers arriving from Pakistan to receive a qualifying polio vaccine, regardless of age or previous vaccination status.
The document places seasonal influenza vaccination under recommendations, rather than its list of mandatory vaccines. That distinction matters because Pakistan’s reported processing requirements and Saudi entry rules do not necessarily match.
Pilgrims should confirm applicable vaccination and certificate requirements with their airline and authorised health centre before departure.
