Hajj 2025: Pakistan Issues Important Vaccination Guidelines for Pilgrims

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has issued important guidelines for Hajj pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia this year. According to the official statement, all pilgrims must complete their mandatory vaccinations before departure.

Vaccinations Are Compulsory

Pilgrims must get vaccinated for meningitis, flu, and polio. These vaccines are available free of cost at the nearest Hajj camp.

After getting vaccinated, every pilgrim must obtain a “yellow card”, which is a vaccination certificate. Without this yellow card, pilgrims will not be allowed to enter Saudi Arabia.

The ministry warned all intending pilgrims to complete this requirement early to avoid any last-minute problems.

Special Instructions for Pilgrims Over 65

Pilgrims aged over 65 years have an extra requirement. They must carry their old COVID-19 vaccination card with them.

If someone does not have the card, they must visit the nearest Hajj camp, get a COVID-19 vaccine again, and receive a new vaccination card. This rule applies only to pilgrims above 65.

Vaccination Schedule

The ministry had earlier announced the vaccination schedule:

• In Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, and Multan, vaccines started being administered from Monday, April 21.

• In Karachi, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Faisalabad, and Sialkot, the process started from April 22.

Pilgrims are advised to visit their designated Hajj camps early to complete their vaccination and documentation.

Saudi Arabia’s New Rules for Hajj 2025

Last month, the Saudi government made the meningitis vaccine mandatory for all Hajj pilgrims. This rule applies to both Saudi citizens and foreign pilgrims.

The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah also announced that pilgrims must show proof of vaccination before registering for any Hajj package. No vaccination means no registration.

Officials explained that these strict measures are in place to prevent the spread of infectious diseases during the Hajj season, where millions of people gather in one place.

PIA Begins Hajj Flight Operations

Meanwhile, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will start its Hajj flight operations from April 29.

• PIA will operate around 280 flights to carry over 56,000 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

• Out of these, about 20,000 pilgrims will travel under the government Hajj scheme.

• The remaining 36,000 pilgrims will travel with private Hajj operators.

The national carrier will use its Boeing 777 and Airbus A320 planes for this massive operation.

PIA has urged all travelers to make sure they have their yellow cards, passports, tickets, and other travel documents ready well before their scheduled flight.