CAA rejects reports about mandatory polio vaccination

NADRA, however, claims that aviation body did make it necessary for intl travelers to get polio drops

KARACHI:

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has said it is the only authorized body to issue polio vaccination certificates but has no jurisdiction on immigration-related matters.

Rebutting recent media reports about NADRA imposing new restrictions on international travellers, it clarified that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has made it mandatory for airlines to check the polio vaccination cards of the passengers travelling abroad, not NADRA.

The authority took to Twitter to share the relevant notification issued by the CAA in this regard.

Announcement 📣

🚨 @NadraPak only issues Polio Vaccination certificates.

We have no jurisdiction on immigration related matters.

Clarification: NADRA has not instructed Airlines to check on passengers travelling abroad for Polio Vaccination Certificates.

However, Civil… pic.twitter.com/WO1aVXQceg

— NADRA (@NadraPak) August 1, 2023

The notification advised passengers to take polio vaccination drops at least four weeks before departure and directed airlines to inform passengers of the same at the time of ticket issuance.

Read ‘No job losses’ from airport outsourcing

It advised passengers to obtain their polio vaccination certificates from their relevant district health office, adding that the polio counter at “the airport” cannot facilitate all persons for such requests made at the last minute.

However, the CAA on Wednesday issued a notice, clarifying that it has not imposed any condition on travellers to get a polio vaccination card. It asked the public not to pay heed to any “unauthorized online offer” to get a polio vaccination card.

“Passengers should especially ignore those online elements who pretend to be representatives of various airlines. The [CAA] letter [shared on social media] was an internal correspondence of Islamabad Airport which has been cancelled

“It is made clear that this letter is not in any way a travel advisory related to polio. Passengers are requested to ask the airlines of the country they intend to travel to regarding the health policy of that country, especially the polio vaccination policy,” it added.