Madhya Pradesh Haj Committee makes swine flu vaccination mandatory for Haj pilgrims

The Madhya Pradesh Haj Committee has made swine flu vaccination mandatory for pilgrims intending to undertake the Haj pilgrimage this year. According to a UNI report, the Haj Committee has urged the Centre and state government to provide swine flu vaccines to government hospitals in the state. The Haj pilgrims have been asked to deposit their original passports in the office of the Haj Committee. The pilgrims whose passports are yet to be prepared, have been urged to contact the Haj Committee to get their pilgrim passports prepared.

According to an official release by the Committee, the rates of lodging for all categories of Haj pilgrims have also been fixed and pilgrims will be intimated at their respective addresses. A W Qureshi, Executive Officer Madhya Pradesh Haj Committee said 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 charges for lodging would have to be deposited in the core banking account of the Central Haj Committee, in any of the branches of State Bank of India.