Vaccination centre at Karachi airport to operate 24 hours from Sept 24
The International Traveller Vaccination Centre at Jinnah International Airport will start operating 24 hours a day from September 24.
The facility has been established at the Civil Dispensary near the Airport Health Quarantine Star Gate. The centre will provide vaccination services to international travellers based on their destination, transit points, and travel schedule.
The new arrangement is aimed at making the process easier for passengers who need vaccinations before travelling abroad. Authorities have been working to introduce a more organised vaccination and digital certification system for international travellers departing from Pakistan.
Vaccination requirements depend on destination
Not every traveller will need the same vaccines. Officials said vaccination requirements for Pakistani passport holders would depend on the destination country, transit locations and travel plans.
Passengers are therefore advised to check the health requirements applicable to their journey before reaching the airport.
Recent arrangements at Karachi airport have focused particularly on travellers heading to Saudi Arabia, including Umrah pilgrims, work visa holders and people planning to stay in Saudi Arabia for more than six months.
The vaccination requirements include vaccines such as polio, meningitis and influenza, while other vaccines may apply depending on the destination.
Meningitis and influenza vaccines have fixed fees
Officials have fixed separate charges for some vaccines.
The meningitis vaccine will cost Rs2,785, while the influenza vaccine will be available for Rs1,720. The polio vaccine will be provided free of charge to international travellers. The combined cost of the meningitis and influenza vaccines is Rs4,505.
Recent reports have also confirmed the same official fees for the two vaccines through the NADRA-linked vaccination process. Travellers should therefore check the applicable vaccine requirements and official charges before completing the process.
Different age limits apply to vaccines
The vaccination rules also vary according to age. The influenza vaccine can be administered to travellers aged one year and above.
The meningitis vaccine is available for travellers aged 12 and above. Polio vaccination will be required once a year under the stated arrangements.
These age requirements are important for families travelling with children because not every member of a family may require the same vaccination. Passengers are advised to confirm the requirements before travelling to the airport to avoid delays.
Special arrangements for pregnant and breastfeeding women
Authorities have also outlined specific arrangements for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Pregnant women will only be administered the influenza vaccine under the current arrangement. Breastfeeding mothers, however, can receive all three vaccines covered by the facility.
The arrangements are intended to ensure that vaccination requirements are applied according to the circumstances of individual travellers. Passengers with special circumstances should provide accurate information during the vaccination and registration process.
Biometric problems will not stop the vaccination process
Officials have also made arrangements for travellers who face difficulties during biometric verification. Passengers unable to complete biometric verification will be referred to authorised staff for assistance. Manual vaccination certificates may also be issued where necessary.
This facility is expected to help passengers who face technical or verification problems while completing the digital process. The authorities have also linked the vaccination system with NADRA-related services to make verification easier for international travellers.
NADRA payments and receipts remain valid
Payment receipts obtained through NADRA, Pak ID or e-Sahulat will remain valid for 90 days.
The system is designed to give travellers more flexibility when completing the vaccination and certification process. Passengers should keep their payment receipts and vaccination documents safely until their journey is completed.
The move towards digital vaccination certificates has already created changes for international travellers departing from Karachi. Earlier, authorities announced that NADRA-integrated vaccination proof would be required for relevant travellers, particularly those travelling to Saudi Arabia.
Foreign nationals exempt from requirements
Foreign nationals have been exempted from the vaccination requirements outlined under the new arrangement. The requirements mainly concern Pakistani passport holders travelling abroad and passengers whose destinations require specific vaccinations.
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Travel agents have also been directed to ensure that passengers travelling to Saudi Arabia complete the required vaccination verification. This is particularly important for Umrah pilgrims and other travellers who must meet Saudi health requirements before departure.
Airlines and travel agents asked to inform passengers
Airlines, travel agents and ground handling companies have been instructed to inform passengers about the vaccination requirements. Authorities want travellers to know about the requirements before reaching the airport. The instructions are also intended to reduce confusion and delays at the vaccination centre.
Travel agents have been asked to make sure passengers understand which vaccines they need and what documents they must carry. Recent reports have highlighted confusion among some travellers over vaccination requirements and digital certificates, making advance information especially important.
Fake vaccination certificates will not be accepted
Authorities have warned travellers against using fake or suspicious vaccination certificates. Such documents will not be accepted during the verification process. Passengers found violating the instructions may face legal action.
Officials have also warned against interfering with the health verification process. The authorities say strict action may be taken against people who attempt to bypass the required procedures.
Violators may face imprisonment and fines
Under the stated arrangements, interference in the health verification process or violation of official instructions could lead to legal penalties. Violators may face imprisonment for up to six months. They could also be fined up to Rs100,000.
The warning is aimed at preventing attempts to manipulate the vaccination and verification system. Passengers have therefore been advised to use authorised vaccination facilities and follow the official procedure.
New system aims to make international travel easier
The round-the-clock operation of the Karachi airport vaccination centre is expected to provide more flexibility to international travellers.
Passengers with early morning or late-night flights will have greater access to vaccination services at the airport. The move could also reduce pressure on daytime vaccination facilities and help manage the growing number of travellers requiring vaccination documents.
However, passengers should not wait until the last moment to complete the process. Checking destination requirements in advance can help prevent unnecessary delays and problems at the airport.
Karachi centre becomes key point for travel vaccination
Jinnah International Airport has become an important point in Pakistan’s new system for vaccination and digital certification of international travellers.
The Federal Government Civil Dispensary at Karachi airport has been designated as an authorised vaccination facility, while NADRA-linked certification has become part of the process for relevant travellers.
The government has indicated that similar arrangements could eventually be extended to other airports. For now, travellers departing from Karachi should carefully check the requirements applicable to their destination.
New arrangements remain in force until October 10
The latest arrangements will remain in force until 10am on October 10, according to the information provided by authorities. During this period, passengers will be able to use the airport vaccination centre around the clock from September 24.
The centre will continue providing vaccines according to the traveller’s destination and applicable health requirements. Passengers are advised to carry their identification documents, payment receipts, and existing vaccination records where applicable.
