India extends deadline on polio vaccination certificate for Pakistani travelers

Deadline, after which carrying a certificate for polio vaccination will be mandatory, extended to February 14, 2014.


Web Desk January 03, 2014
It now remains to be seen whether other polio-free countries, particularly those that receive large numbers of visitors from Pakistan, will react in a manner similar to India. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE

ISLAMABAD: India announced on Friday that it was extending till February 14, 2014, a deadline after which it would be mandatory for all travelers from Pakistan to carry polio vaccination certificates .

According to a statement released by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on Friday, it said that all persons – adults and children – traveling to India from Pakistan are required to obtain an Oral Polio Vaccination (OPV) certification at least six weeks prior to their departure to India, but not more than one year before such departure.

The previous deadline was January 30, 2014.

Travelers from Pakistan, even Indian nationals on visit to Pakistan, would be required to carry their vaccination record as evidence of polio vaccination upon entry into India.

Record for administering OPV can be obtained from an authorised medical centre in the format laid out in the World Health Organisation’s International Health Regulations 2005 International Certification of Vaccination. The format of the certificate required is also available on the website of the High Commission of India.

The Indian mission explained that the step is being taken to safeguard India’s polio-free status attained after sustained after efforts and large investment. It further clarified that the measure was applicable to all travelers from all such countries where polio is endemic or where cases of polio are reported.

Despite efforts by the government, Pakistan reported 85 confirmed cases of polio during 2013, raising concerns about the fight against the disease.

COMMENTS (16)

someone | 10 years ago | Reply

@Lololol: Indeed. People who can not afford expensive medical treatment in US or Europe go to India to get the best of the treatment for a lesser price. People from countries in Africa and like Pakistan go to India because the treatment back home is not available at all. So you see, people around the world do have a reason to visit India. On the other hand if some one is fugitive and looking for a "safe" place to hide might go to Pakistan. You know what I mean right?

Hari Om | 10 years ago | Reply

@ Peace : “……… and Pakistan requires AIDS test for all the Indian visitors. Period.”

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No Period at all …………… When Pakistan manages to eradicate HIV AIDS, just as India has now done with Polio, Pakistan is most welcome to require visiting Indian’s to conduct tests for HIV AIDS if that disease has at that time not been eradicated in India.

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