Vaccination Drive Held for Haj Pilgrims in Kashmir

Haj pilgrims are undergoing an intensive vaccination program in the Kashmir Valley prior to undertaking their journey to Mecca.

The vaccination drive started in the month of August and will continue till all the pilgrims complete this important formality.

It is mandatory to show a Health and Training card in Saudi Arabia with details of the pilgrims' vaccination and without which no pilgrim is allowed to perform during the Haj.

A pilgrim Altaf Hussain said, "It is a very good drive by the government. We are very thankful to the government for this. We are getting two injections and two types of antibiotics."

The Chief Executive Officer of Haj Committee, Fayaz Ahmad Lone told ANI, "These vaccinations are being provided according to the WHO guidelines. These include polio, meningococcus and seasonal influenza vaccines. This is being done to ensure the health of the pilgrims. A health and training card is given to the pilgrims after this which is mandatory in Saudi Arabia."

This year around 7,007 pilgrims will perform Haj from Jammu and Kashmir and the first batch of pilgrims left for Madina Munawar on August 27, according to reports. The process will continue till September 12.

The vaccination facility is available in all the districts of the Valley including Haj House Bemina in Srinagar, where doctors and authorities of Haj committee have opened special counters for vaccination purpose.

The department of health is conducting this vaccination drive free of cost.

Source: ANI