Swine flu vaccination must for Haj pilgrims

Rates of lodging for all categories of Haj pilgrims fixed

Bhopal:Sunday, July 19, 2009:Updated 18:20IST Swine flu vaccination has been made mandatory for persons intending to go on Haj pilgrimage 2009 through Madhya Pradesh Haj Committee. With this in view, the State Haj Committee has urged the Central Government to provide swine flu vaccines to government hospitals in the state. Besides, rates of lodging for all categories of Haj pilgrims have also been fixed.
The Haj pilgrims have also been asked to deposit their original passports in the office of State Haj Committee. The Haj pilgrims whose passports are yet to be prepared have been urged to contact State Haj Committee to get their pilgrim passport prepared.
Giving this information, Executive Officer of State Haj Committee said that Saudi Arabia's Health Minister has informed that all the Haj pilgrims must be administered swine flu vaccine at least two weeks before embarking on the pilgrimage.
The State Haj Committee has urged the Central Government to provide swine flu vaccines at the government hospitals. It has also given intimation in this connection to the state government.
Meanwhile, rates of lodging and flight fares for all categories of Haj pilgrims have been fixed. Intimations in this connection are being sent to the Haj pilgrims at their respective addresses. The charges for lodging will have to be deposited in the core banking account of Central Haj Committee in any branch of State Bank of India.
The pilgrims who do not get any information in this connection by July 31, 2009 may contact the office of State Haj Committee at Bhopal.