In a significant relief for Umrah travelers, Saudi Arabia has dropped the Neisseria meningitis vaccine requirement, leaving the polio vaccine as the only mandatory immunization for entry.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) had initially planned to enforce the rule starting January 7, 2025, but has now withdrawn it due to vaccine shortages and reports of fake vaccination certificates in Pakistan.
Many Pakistani pilgrims had struggled to obtain the vaccine as no central authority was regulating its availability. The demand led to fraudulent certificates being issued by a private lab in Islamabad. To avoid further complications, Saudi authorities reversed the mandate.
The decision has been welcomed by travel operators and health officials, who say it will reduce stress on pilgrims and prevent illegal vaccination practices.
Meanwhile, Pakistan received 37,500 doses of the meningitis vaccine just before Saudi Arabia’s announcement. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) confirmed that 16,000 doses have been sent to Punjab, with the rest to be distributed among Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan.
In Lahore, private pharmacies will offer the vaccine at Rs. 6,500 for those still needing it.
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