NCOC updates Covid vaccine administration procedure for Hajj pilgrims

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has updated the procedure of Covid-19 vaccine administration for the facilitation of Hajj pilgrims as the government of Saudi Arabia required two doses of any of the vaccines including Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.

In this regard, according to a statement, NCOC recommended that Hajj pilgrims can get an additional or booster dose of their required vaccine, after 28 days of their first or second dose.

"This update in procedure will help them to comply with the Covid-19 vaccination requirements of the government of Saudi Arabia during Hajj," the statement added.

Read more: Saudi Arabia makes Covid test mandatory for Hajj

It further said that the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are available across the country and travellers can get any of the booster doses after visiting Corona Vaccination Centres (CVCs) across the country.

Earlier this month, the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had made it mandatory for pilgrims from all over the world to undergo a Covid test at least 72 hours before departure to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj.

A new guideline has been issued pertaining to changes in the policy guideline on the coronavirus test for Hajj pilgrims.

The Saudi aviation authority has informed Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other airlines about the new policy guideline. According to the new policy guideline, pilgrims have to undergo a coronavirus test 72 hours before departure.

Also read: Subsidised Hajj to cost over Rs0.7m

Earlier, the Saudi authorities had given a timeframe of 48 hours. Violation of the Covid policy guideline will be prosecuted under the rules of the Saudi Ministry of Health.

It is pertinent to mention that pilgrims coming to Saudi Arabia must be under the age of 65 years.

The kingdom had scaled back the Hajj in the previous two years, allowing only those already in Saudi Arabia because of the coronavirus pandemic. This year, the authorities allowed pilgrims from abroad with certain pandemic-related restrictions.