Pakistani pilgrims preparing for Umrah are being charged Rs4,500 for a three-vaccine package that includes a seasonal influenza shot not required by Saudi Arabia, sparking concerns about potential overcharging and lack of transparency in the vaccination process.
According to Saudi Arabia’s official health regulations for Umrah 1447H (2026), the kingdom does not mandate seasonal influenza vaccination for Umrah pilgrims. Yet Pakistan’s Border Health Services (BHS) is collecting the hefty fee for three vaccines: polio drops, meningococcal vaccine, and the flu shot, along with a Nadra-linked vaccination certificate.
The controversy deepens when considering that polio vaccines are provided free of charge under Pakistan’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation and national polio eradication initiative. This raises serious questions about what exactly the Rs4,500 charge covers and whether pilgrims are being misled about mandatory requirements.
Saudi regulations clearly state that all Pakistani Umrah pilgrims must receive at least one dose of bivalent oral polio vaccine or inactivated polio vaccine before travel. They must also have a valid meningococcal vaccine administered at least 10 days before arrival. Covid-19 vaccination proof is required only for vulnerable groups including those over 65, pregnant women, and people with chronic illnesses.
Crucially, seasonal influenza appears only under ‘health recommendations’ in the Saudi document, not mandatory requirements. The regulations specifically advise travelers intending to perform Hajj to receive the updated seasonal influenza vaccine, but this is presented as advice, not a requirement.
When questioned about the mandatory status of flu vaccination, BHS official Murtaza Shah insisted it was compulsory for Saudi-bound pilgrims but could not point to any provision in Saudi regulations supporting this claim. He argued the vaccination protects travelers and reduces hospital burden in Pakistan, though he provided no data on Umrah pilgrims hospitalized with influenza complications.
Public health experts are demanding transparency. They argue that preventive health advice should not be converted into compulsory travel conditions without written requirements from Saudi authorities or clearly notified Pakistani government policy. They’re calling for disclosure of vaccine manufacturers, regulatory approvals, batch details, and pricing.
The vaccination certificate requirement, now linked to Nadra to prevent forgery, initially caused chaos when only one vaccination center was designated at Karachi’s Federal Civil Dispensary near Jinnah International Airport. The original September 14 deadline was extended to September 25 after thousands of pilgrims faced difficulties obtaining certificates.
The requirement started at Karachi airport and is being extended to Peshawar, Islamabad, and Lahore airports. Pilgrims without certificates have been advised to reach airports at least six hours before departure.
Health officials are urging the Ministry of Health and BHS to publicly explain the approved fee structure and clarify whether the Rs4,500 covers vaccination, certificate generation, service delivery, or other charges. They emphasize that no traveler should believe polio drops themselves carry a price when the government provides them free.
The ministry must issue a public clarification on Saudi Umrah requirements, the legal basis of the Rs4,500 charge, and ensure pilgrims receive accurate information about which vaccines are truly mandatory versus recommended, experts say.
