Vaccination services for passengers travelling to Saudi Arabia have been disrupted at Karachi Airport following the closure of the Border Health Services’ emergency vaccination counter, creating difficulties for travellers.
According to media reports, only 4,000 vaccine doses remain, and these have been reserved for passengers who have already paid the required fee. The emergency vaccination counter, established by Border Health Services at Karachi Airport, has been dismantled, while staff at the airport dispensary have been relieved of their duties.
Sources said only one dispenser and one official remain at the dispensary, while daily-wage employees associated with the vaccination programme have been instructed not to report for duty until further notice. Despite the partial suspension of services, the airport dispensary continues to vaccinate passengers who have already paid the required fee.
However, those who have not yet paid may face difficulties obtaining vaccines because the remaining doses have been reserved for passengers who have completed the payment process. The deadline for completing mandatory vaccinations for travellers heading to Saudi Arabia has been extended to November 20, giving passengers additional time to meet the requirements.
However, limited vaccine supplies, staff shortages and the closure of the emergency vaccination counter could create further difficulties for passengers travelling to Saudi Arabia through Karachi Airport.
