Saudi Arabia Makes Polio Vaccination Mandatory for Pakistani Umrah Pilgrims

Islamabad – Saudi Arabia has made it mandatory for Pakistani Umrah pilgrims to receive a polio vaccination before traveling, amid a surge in poliovirus cases in Pakistan. The directive was issued by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) and reported by state broadcaster Radio Pakistan this week.

New Travel Requirement for Pakistani Pilgrims

To prevent the spread of poliovirus, Saudi authorities now require all Pakistani pilgrims to:

✅ Receive a polio vaccination at least four weeks before departure ????
✅ Carry a valid vaccination certificate ????
✅ Ensure that the vaccination is not older than six months at the time of travel ✈️

Authorities have warned pilgrims and travel operators to strictly follow these guidelines to prevent offloading at airports.

Pakistan’s Ongoing Battle Against Polio

Pakistan remains one of only two countries where polio is still endemic, alongside Afghanistan. While the country reported 73 cases in 2024 and only one so far in 2025, health officials continue to stress the importance of vaccination.

In its latest anti-polio campaign (Feb. 3-9, 2025), Pakistan vaccinated over 45 million children, aiming to eradicate the disease.

Challenges in Eradication Efforts

Despite progress, misinformation, religious opposition, and attacks on polio teams have hampered Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts since the program launched in 1994. However, the government remains committed to eliminating the virus completely.

With Saudi Arabia’s new vaccination rule, Pakistani pilgrims must comply to ensure smooth travel for Umrah and support the global fight against polio.