Hajj 2025: City-wise vaccination schedule for pilgrims

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has released the official vaccination schedule for Pakistani pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj 2025, with inoculations commencing from today.

According to the ministry, pilgrims in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, and Multan will begin receiving the mandatory meningitis vaccine from today.

Those residing in Karachi, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, Faisalabad, and Sialkot are scheduled to be vaccinated starting April 22.

In Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, vaccinations will be administered on Wednesday.

The Saudi government has made the meningitis vaccine compulsory for all citizens and international pilgrims participating in Hajj 2025.

Proof of vaccination is now a prerequisite for Hajj package registration, according to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Authorities have stressed that the measure is crucial for preventing the spread of infectious diseases during the annual pilgrimage, which draws millions of people from around the world.

Meanwhile, the 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 flown to Saudi Arabia through 280 flights.

The PIA will use Boeing 777 and Airbus A320 planes for transportation of pilgrims.