ISLAMABAD – The federal government has made vaccination mandatory for people travelling abroad as part of measures to strengthen health screening for international travellers.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal inaugurated the International Travellers Vaccination Centre, where passengers will be provided vaccination facilities before travelling overseas.
Speaking to the media at the inauguration, the minister urged both incoming and outgoing international travellers to ensure they receive the required vaccinations. He said travellers, particularly those heading for Hajj and Umrah, must carry a valid meningitis vaccination certificate.
Kamal said the new centre would provide vaccination services to international passengers while their records would be electronically registered in the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) system.
He added that many people also travel abroad for medical treatment, and health desks at airports would maintain relevant passenger data. The system, he said, would be fully digital and cashless, allowing vaccination certificates to be verified through NADRA.
“Vaccination will now be mandatory for international travel,” the minister said, adding that health and NADRA counters would also be available at airports to facilitate passengers and verify their records.
Kamal noted that a significant number of deportees returned to Pakistan on medical grounds, underscoring the need for stronger health screening of international travellers.
He said digital certificates covering diseases including influenza, meningitis and polio would be introduced as part of the system.
The minister further announced plans to link citizens’ medical records with their national identity card numbers, saying that the system would help establish a comprehensive digital health record for Pakistani citizens.
He expressed confidence that the digital vaccination and health-record system would continue functioning regardless of changes in government or administration.
