Health Department To Conduct Mandatory Vaccination For Hajj Pilgrims In Pune On April 26
Pune, 24th April 2025: In preparation for the upcoming Hajj pilgrimage, the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) Health Department will administer mandatory vaccinations to around 1,500 pilgrims from the city. The immunization drive will be held on 26th April at Azam Campus, where vaccines for meningitis, influenza, and oral polio will be provided.
According to Dr. Sandeep Sangle, Additional Director State Immunisation Officer, State Family Welfare Bureau, official guidelines have been issued for the medical examination and vaccination of Hajj pilgrims. These vaccinations must be recorded in health cards or vaccination certificates provided through recognized voluntary organizations and Hajj trainers.
The initial health check-ups have already been conducted at Kamala Nehru Hospital under the Municipal Health Department. These examinations included blood tests, ECGs, and other essential screenings. Only those listed in the official Hajj Committee database were eligible for the check-ups.
In line with central directives, all vaccinations must be completed at least two weeks before the pilgrimage. The upcoming session on 26th April at the Unani Hospital in Azam Campus will ensure compliance with this timeline.
Dr. Rajesh Dighe, Assistant Health Officer of the PMC, stated that pilgrims above the age of three will be administered the meningitis vaccine. Influenza shots will be given to those over 65 or with comorbid conditions. All pilgrims will also receive an oral dose of the polio vaccine. Certificates confirming vaccination will be issued after the procedure.
Additionally, health screenings will also be conducted at departure airports including Mumbai, Nagpur, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Any pilgrims found unwell during these checks will be referred to district hospitals for further treatment.
