The Ministry of National Health Services set the price of a single dosage of Covid-19 booster shot for anyone travelling overseas at Rs1,270 on Saturday.

According to a ministry announcement, the price was set in accordance with a decision made by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) during a meeting on August 24.

Booster doses would be given to travellers at designated vaccination centres after payment of the fee, according to the announcement. It went on to say that the money could be deposited into the appropriate account at any National Bank of Pakistan branch.

Dr. Faisal Sultan, the SAPM for Health, said on August 24 that Pakistanis who want to travel overseas and want a specific vaccine that meets the requirements of the destination country will now be able to obtain it. He had stated, “This vaccine would be permitted not on medical grounds, but for their travel necessity.”

He went on to say that people would need to produce their individual country’s visa for this and that the vaccine will be available for a minimal fee starting September 1.

He had stated that payment would be charged only in this category because the government wants to help all students, businessmen, and tourists who want to travel abroad but are unable to do so due to a lack of required vaccinations.

Notification issued by the Ministry of National Health Services

The decision comes as Pakistanis continue to endure coronavirus-related travel restrictions, with numerous countries refusing to recognise Chinese Covid-19 vaccines, which have been given to the vast majority of Pakistanis.

Saudi Arabia has resolved to allow international travellers who were completely vaccinated with either of the two Chinese vaccines, Sinopharm or Sinovac, to enter the country, providing they also obtained a booster shot of one of the four vaccinations permitted by the Kingdom.

Later, it relaxed Covid-19 restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals, enabling them to enter the Kingdom directly from countries with the travel bans, such as Pakistan. The exception is individuals who have a valid residency permit (Iqama) who departed the Kingdom on a departure and re-entry visa after receiving two doses of the Covid-19 vaccination in Saudi Arabia.

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