Influenza cases are currently increasing across Karachi, with patients visiting both public and private hospitals rising by approximately 20 per cent. The Sindh government has made influenza vaccinations mandatory for Umrah pilgrims departing from Karachi Airport.
Meningitis and polio vaccinations are also compulsory for those same travelers passing through the airport. Pilgrims must obtain a vaccination card by uploading their receipt to the NADRA website before they can travel.
The current flu virus displays symptoms comparable to those of Covid-19, though experts remain divided on whether it is a new influenza variant or a modified Covid-19 strain. "Some health experts are describing this year's influenza virus as a modified Covid-19 variant, while some doctors believe it is a new influenza variant that has changed its characteristics," said Dr Usman Ghani.
Pakistan imports roughly 700,000 doses of the influenza vaccine every year. Customs officials recently seized products marketed as vaccines that actually contained only normal saline or distilled water.
"Thousands of people from different countries are present during Umrah, so vaccination is important for protecting people's health," stated a family preparing to travel for Umrah.
