Pakistani pilgrims preparing for Umrah are struggling to obtain mandatory meningitis vaccinations due to a severe nationwide shortage, The News reported on Wednesday.
Both meningitis vaccine manufacturers (S) and (P) have been out of stock for weeks, forcing pilgrims to turn to the black market, where prices have soared above Rs10,000. The shortage has also led to reports of counterfeit vaccines being administered, with a recent incident at Islamabad’s Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital raising alarm.
Health authorities have yet to take decisive action, further exacerbating the crisis. An official from the Ministry of National Health Services confirmed that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) does not produce or administer the vaccine, leaving pilgrims with few options.
To ease the shortage, authorities expect to import thousands of vials next week. Meanwhile, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) is investigating counterfeit vaccine reports and has pledged to crack down on illegal sales.
In addition to the meningitis vaccine crisis, pilgrims face delays in obtaining polio vaccination certificates. While the oral polio vaccine (OPV) is available at various health centers, only District Health Officers (DHOs) can update vaccination records in Nadra’s system, causing bottlenecks. The additional Rs100 certification fee has further added to pilgrims’ burdens.
Health experts and officials are urging swift government intervention to ensure vaccine availability, prevent fraud, and streamline certification processes. Without immediate action, the crisis could worsen, making it even harder for Pakistani pilgrims to fulfill their religious obligations.
