Deadline extended for mandatory NADRA vaccination certificate for overseas travel

The deadline for requiring a vaccination certificate issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for citizens travelling abroad has been extended to September 25.

Earlier, on September 7, the Ministry of National Health Services had informed the Pakistan Airports Authority that, from September 14, international passengers travelling from all airports for Hajj or Umrah would not be allowed to travel without a vaccination certificate issued by NADRA.

In response to the directive, Karachi airport authorities reportedly recommended postponing the enforcement of the requirement from September 14 to at least October 1, warning that its sudden implementation could pose a “serious risk” to airport operations.

Passengers had also complained of difficulties in meeting the new requirement at short notice and obtaining the vaccination certificate. NADRA subsequently issued guidelines explaining the procedure for obtaining digital proof after receiving the required vaccines.

According to the latest notification issued by the Ministry of National Health Services, the deadline for passengers departing from Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, to provide proof of vaccination has been extended to September 25.

The ministry said passengers travelling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah, on work visas or for any other purpose involving a stay of more than six months must receive vaccinations against influenza, meningitis and polio.

The official in charge of a vaccination centre also confirmed that Umrah pilgrims and people travelling to Saudi Arabia on visit visas would be allowed to travel without a vaccination certificate before September 25.

According to the official, the Government of Pakistan had made four vaccinations mandatory for travellers at the request of the Saudi government. These include vaccines against meningitis, influenza, polio and yellow fever.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that by 2020, wild poliovirus had been eliminated from all parts of the world except Pakistan and Afghanistan, where cases continue to be reported.

The latest polio case in Pakistan was reported on September 11, when an eight-month-old child in Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, tested positive for the virus.