ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to administer booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine for people traveling abroad at a fee of Rs1,270, a notification issued by the Ministry of National Health Services stated.
According to the notification, the price had been fixed in pursuance of the National Command and Operation Centre’s (NCOC) decision taken during a meeting on August 24.
The handout added that the COVID vaccine shots will be administered to those willing to travel abroad at designated vaccination centers. It added that the payment could be deposited to the relevant account at all branches of the National Bank of Pakistan.
The decision comes as Pakistanis continue to struggle in the face of coronavirus-related travel restrictions with several countries not recognising Chinese COVID-19 vaccines, which have been administered to the majority here.
In a recent development, Saudi Arabia had decided to allow entry to foreign travellers fully vaccinated with either of the two Chinese vaccines, Sinopharm or Sinovac, provided that they also received a booster shot of either of the four vaccines approved by the Kingdom.
On August 24, SAPM on Health Dr Faisal Sultan said those Pakistanis who want to travel abroad and they need specific vaccine as per respective country’s requirement, now would be able to get such vaccine.
“This vaccine would be allowed not on the basis of medical grounds but for their travelling requirement,” the special assistant had said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.
Dr Faisal Sultan had added that for this purpose they have to show their visa of the respective country while this vaccine would be allowed on nominal charges from September 1.
