Meningitis vaccine not DHA’s mandate, free certification assured for travellers

RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Mar, 2026) District Health Officer Dr Jawad Ahmed has clarified that provision of meningitis vaccine for overseas travellers is not the responsibility of the health department, stating that the department facilitates only administration of the vaccine and issuance of certificates.

Talking to APP here on Thursday, he said individuals travelling abroad for Hajj, Umrah or other purposes could purchase the vaccine from pharmacies and get it administered at designated government health facilities, where vaccination cards are issued free of cost.

He noted that some private laboratories were charging hefty amounts for issuing vaccination cards, adding that the District Health Authority had already warned health centres against such illegal practices. Citizens were advised to obtain vaccination certificates through official channels without paying any charges.

Dr Jawad Ahmed said that although people might face difficulties in procuring vaccines, ensuring their supply was not the department’s mandate.

He added that over 4,000 individuals had been vaccinated under dengue prevention efforts and no complaints had been reported so far.

He further said that if any official demanded money for administering the vaccine or issuing a certificate, citizens should immediately lodge a complaint, assuring that strict action would be taken against those involved. He added that polio vaccination cards were also issued under the same mechanism free of cost.

The DHO explained that certain vaccines were not supplied by the government and were instead imported by private entities, with prices regulated by the Drug Regulatory Authority. He said prices might fluctuate due to demand and supply, but administration of vaccines and issuance of certificates at government centres remained completely free. APP/395