The Ministry of Religious Affairs has published the official vaccination calendar for Pakistani pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2025, with inoculations starting from today.
According to the ministry, pilgrims in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Multan will begin to receive the compulsory meningitis vaccine from today.
Those who live in Karachi, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Faisalabad and Sialkot should be vaccinated from April 22.
In Quetta, the provincial capital of Balutchistan, vaccinations will be administered on Wednesday.
The Saudi government has rendered the vaccine against compulsory meningitis for all international citizens and pilgrims participating in Hajj 2025.
Proof of vaccination is now a prerequisite for recording the Hajj package, according to the Saudi ministry of Hajj and Omra.
The authorities have stressed that the measure is crucial to preventing the spread of infectious diseases during the annual pilgrimage, which attracts millions of people from around the world.
Meanwhile, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will start its pre-hajj flight operation from April 29. During this massive exercise, more than 56,000 pilgrims will be transported to Saudi Arabia up to 280 flights.
The PIA will use Boeing 777 and Airbus A320 aircraft for the transport of pilgrims.