Pakistan opens new International Travelers Vaccination Center

Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal inaugurated the facility and said the new system would provide vaccination services to travelers while

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has introduced mandatory vaccination requirements for international travelers with the inauguration of the International Travelers Vaccination Center, aimed at streamlining health screening and vaccination services for people traveling abroad.

Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal inaugurated the facility and said the new system would provide vaccination services to travelers while ensuring that their health-related information is digitally recorded.

Speaking to the media, the minister said travelers would be required to carry valid vaccination certificates, including a meningitis vaccination certificate for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. The newly established center will facilitate international travelers in obtaining the required vaccinations and certificates before departure.

He said the system has been designed as a cashless and digitalized service, with travelers’ vaccination records linked to the NADRA database. Health information of passengers arriving by air will also be maintained through health desks operating at airports.

According to Mustafa Kamal, dedicated Health Department and NADRA counters will also be established at airports to verify vaccination certificates and facilitate travelers. Digital certification for vaccinations against diseases including influenza, scarlet fever and polio will also be introduced.

The minister further said the government was working to strengthen health screening for international travelers, noting that a significant number of deportees return to Pakistan on medical grounds.

Under the new system, Pakistani citizens’ identity card numbers will gradually serve as medical record numbers, allowing health and vaccination information to be maintained digitally and verified when required.

The government expects the integrated vaccination and health-record system to improve disease prevention, facilitate international travel and strengthen Pakistan’s ability to monitor the health status of travelers.