Travelling Abroad - Polio Vaccination Certificate Details

May 8, 2009
6,008
0
41
Lahore
I'll be travelling abroad soon and as most of us know, it is mandatory now to have a valid polio vaccination certificate with you. Few days ago [MENTION=39471]Blastwave[/MENTION] and I were discussing this and he told me that to make a thread when I get done with the vaccination, for general guidance and other inquiries.

Now I'll headline some general points that I think should be addressed and known about:

General Outline:

From June 1, all Pakistanis travelling abroad will be required to present a polio vaccination certificate at the time of departure. - WHO / National Authorities
These are the official guidelines:

States Currently Exporting Wild Poliovirus

Pakistan, Cameroon, and the Syrian Arab Republic pose the greatest risk of further wild
poliovirus exportations in 2014.

These States should:

- officially declare, if not already done, at the level of head of state or government, that
the interruption of poliovirus transmission is a national public health emergency;

- ensure that all residents and long-term visitors (i.e. > four weeks) receive a dose of
oral polio vaccine (OPV) or inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) between four weeks
and 12 months prior to international travel;

- ensure that those undertaking urgent travel (i.e. within four weeks), who have not
received a dose of OPV or IPV in the previous four weeks to 12 months, receive a
dose of polio vaccine at least by the time of departure as this will still provide benefit,
particularly for frequent travellers;

- ensure that such travellers are provided with an International Certificate of
Vaccination or Prophylaxis in the form specified in Annex 6 of the International
Health Regulations (2005) to record their polio vaccination and serve as proof of
vaccination;

- maintain these measures until the following two criteria have been met: (i) at least six
months have passed without new exportations; and (ii) there is documentation of full
application of high quality eradication activities in all infected and high risk areas, in
the absence of such documentation these measures should be maintained until at least
12 months have passed without new exportations.

What does the certificate look like?

It depends on the province and from where you are getting it. But generally it is presented in this format.


I have a certificate so I still need to do this?

If it is in the correct current format - with valid date and details and is issued in accordance to WHO guidelines, you're good then. However, it is recommended that you re-validate your certificate under all conditions. Moreover, a fresh international certificate issued after the WHO guidelines is the safest bet out of all.


Where do you get the certificate(s) from?

So far according to my knowledge, you can have your certificates made and issued from:

- Town Hall

- Offices of EDOs Health Dept.

- Govt. Hospitals

- Airports (International Travel only - polio counters are set up inside and outside)


The procedure?

So I'm going to answer this from my own experience. I got my polio vaccination certificate done and issued from Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. It is a govt. hospital that has its polio counter set up inside Outdoor Ward.

Some very important points to remember:

- Take photocopies of your Passport and CNIC.
- Make sure you have a pen with you to fill out the form.
- Go as early as possible, since from my experience Jinnah Hospital closes its polio counter at 2 PM - so you have be there before this time.
- Make sure the form you get is readable and printed fine.
- The Polio Vaccination Certificate is valid for only 1 Year.
- Fill the form and follow the instructions from the officers.

General tips (from my own experience):

In order to receive a certificate form you must show them your photocopy of Passport. This is the general way of doing the procedure. The quicker method though is to go to the Photocopier in the hospital (For Jinnah Hospital in Lahore it is the Canteen area of the Outdoor ward) and ask if he has some copies of the form available. If there is, get it from there since you won't have to stand in a queue or wait for the form to be available on the counter. It's a fast track process so to speak, and I'm certain that it can be done in a similar manner in other hospitals.

Also make sure to have your Identity Card (NIC) with you since if required it helps with general identification.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------​

I welcome all related suggestions, answers and questions from the PG community. I'd also request PG's Medical community to further assist in any way possible in regards to the procedure and general medical implications. Contribute as much as you can!

It is important that we know the correct details and are prepared for safe international travel. Here's to hoping that the problem of polio in Pakistan meets its end soon.
 
Last edited:

Blastwave

Ready Player One
Sep 3, 2011
5,051
0
42
USS Voyager
Bloody brilliant and helpful

thanks man.
[MENTION=6068]Ottoman[/MENTION] This needs to be sticky for a few months I'd say
 

venom

Lado-K-Lashkary
Mar 15, 2007
2,757
256
88
Karachi
@OP, Reasons why one keeps on coming back to PG!!!!

You the man!!!

RESPECT!!!!!!!
 
May 8, 2009
6,008
0
41
Lahore
i got my polio drops, i need to get em again to get the certificate ? i mean can't i just get the certificate... ?
Yep, they will administer polio drops again to ensure you are vaccinated. It's the procedure following WHO guidelines. You can take your old certificate to re-validate, but even those chances look slim considering the format.
 

murtaza12

Global Moderator
Global Mod
Oct 27, 2011
10,721
121
69
If anyone in Islamabad wants to get it done, PIMS is the place to go. It took me about 10 minutes tops. They call you in, fill in the form with your name, dad's name, passport number and then give it to the lady who'll give you the drops, write the batch number and then sign the form. She'll then send you to Room 7 (in another building) and another doctor signs it.
Then you just leave.
 
May 8, 2009
6,008
0
41
Lahore
Bless you for providing all these details. Need to get mine on Monday from Jinnah.
Quick question, how long does the process take and how early should I go to get done quickly?
It depends on the staff and how busy they are. Mine took around half an hour. You should try to be there before 12 PM at least. So whatever suits you before that time is great. The more early you are there the better.

As for the process, try the getting the form from the polio counter first. If they tell you that they are out of forms or are waiting for them, then follow my advice on going to the photocopier yourself. I've mentioned it in the main OP.

EDIT:

I should mention that I got mine from Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Circumstances can vary to different locations, but make sure to follow the points I highlighted. Especially the photocopies of Passport and CNIC, along with having a pen to fill the form.
 
Last edited:

hammad800

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2008
1,767
0
41
31
Dubai, U.A.E.
www.hammad800.blogspot.com
It depends on the staff and how busy they are. Mine took around half an hour. You should try to be there before 12 PM at least. So whatever suits you before that time is great. The more early you are there the better.

As for the process, try the getting the form from the polio counter first. If they tell you that they are out of forms or are waiting for them, then follow my advice on going to the photocopier yourself. I've mentioned it in the main OP.

EDIT:

I should mention that I got mine from Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Circumstances can vary to different locations, but make sure to follow the points I highlighted. Especially the photocopies of Passport and CNIC, along with having a pen to fill the form.
Alright. Thanks for the info =) Will try to be there as early as possible.
 

cobby

Lord of the First Order
Aug 20, 2007
12,722
1
43
Serenity
Ok , good thread .
my brother is coming from abroad for month or two he is not national of abroad country yet .
will he have to show polio cert when going back abroad
 
May 8, 2009
6,008
0
41
Lahore
Ok , good thread .
my brother is coming from abroad for month or two he is not national of abroad country yet .
will he have to show polio cert when going back abroad
Yes. Anyone with any nationality staying in Pakistan for over 4 weeks has to show an international vaccination certificate. For Pakistanis, it is mandatory and required for international travel.
 

manigamer

Respect Ma AuthoritA!!!
Global Mod
Jun 28, 2007
52,087
395
89
On earth...Lahore
yar i took them when i was small, i don't want to take them again... wth is this BS. kaheen seedha seedha form nahi milay ga :p
 

Yasir

Poondify Yourself
Jul 25, 2009
2,883
0
41
29
Kuala Lumpur
Yes. Anyone with any nationality staying in Pakistan for over 4 weeks has to show an international vaccination certificate. For Pakistanis, it is mandatory and required for international travel.
Hell yes, I'm leaving after 3 weeks of stay so I'm good to go. (bm)
 
May 8, 2009
6,008
0
41
Lahore
Hell yes, I'm leaving after 3 weeks of stay so I'm good to go. (bm)
These are the official guidelines:

States Currently Exporting Wild Poliovirus

Pakistan, Cameroon, and the Syrian Arab Republic pose the greatest risk of further wild
poliovirus exportations in 2014.

These States should:

- officially declare, if not already done, at the level of head of state or government, that
the interruption of poliovirus transmission is a national public health emergency;

- ensure that all residents and long-term visitors (i.e. > four weeks) receive a dose of
oral polio vaccine (OPV) or inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) between four weeks
and 12 months prior to international travel;


- ensure that those undertaking urgent travel (i.e. within four weeks), who have not
received a dose of OPV or IPV in the previous four weeks to 12 months, receive a
dose of polio vaccine at least by the time of departure as this will still provide benefit,
particularly for frequent travellers;

- ensure that such travellers are provided with an International Certificate of
Vaccination or Prophylaxis in the form specified in Annex 6 of the International
Health Regulations (2005) to record their polio vaccination and serve as proof of
vaccination;

- maintain these measures until the following two criteria have been met: (i) at least six
months have passed without new exportations; and (ii) there is documentation of full
application of high quality eradication activities in all infected and high risk areas, in
the absence of such documentation these measures should be maintained until at least
12 months have passed without new exportations.
Do check with immigration on this. They are following the guidelines but it's safer to get a "go-ahead" from them.
 

murtaza12

Global Moderator
Global Mod
Oct 27, 2011
10,721
121
69
I left Pakistan on 10th June, I'm still abroad right now and nobody has asked for the form.


Sent from my Xperia Z C6602 using Tapatalk 4
 

First

Beginner
Mar 20, 2013
48
0
11
^Yes, it's a formality and only that. So perhaps even the port officials are lax with it. It is another thing for travelers to remember. Private hospitals issue the certificate in Karachi, for a fee, it might be more convenient based on location or wait time. You don't actually need to take the vaccine (shhhh!) because polio is for kids, and doctors know that. But bureaucrats don't.
 
General chit-chat
Help Users
We have disabled traderscore and are working on a fix. There was a bug with the plugin | Click for Discord
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
  • EternalBlizzard EternalBlizzard:
    Why is everybody so hyped up about this overrated piece of trash called unicorn overlord
    Link
  • faraany3k faraany3k:
    I dont think games have looked any better since 2019 onwards and they are performing worse and worse. Game developers have really dropped the ball.
    Link
  • Necrokiller Necrokiller:
    Consoles can't even catch a break in titles developed exclusively for them 😢
    Link
  • Necrokiller Necrokiller:
    "All of this lends the game distinctly last-gen look at times, which is compounded by image quality and frame-rate issues."
    Link
  • Necrokiller Necrokiller:
    Link
  • Chandoo Chandoo:
    no jokes.
    Link
  • Chandoo Chandoo:
    faraany3k said:
    So while Playing Control, I found a journal which said that a bathroom is missing in Islamabad Beurue of Control. With Alan Wake and Control seems to be connected worlds. Even our city is in the universe as well. No wonder those Trail 5 and Trail 6 are haunted.
    did you know you can see @NaNoW credited in the game too ? :p
    Link
  • faraany3k faraany3k:
    So while Playing Control, I found a journal which said that a bathroom is missing in Islamabad Beurue of Control. With Alan Wake and Control seems to be connected worlds. Even our city is in the universe as well. No wonder those Trail 5 and Trail 6 are haunted.
    Link
  • EternalBlizzard EternalBlizzard:
    faraany3k said:
    What is peoples obsession with Battle Royale genre. 6 minutes to find a match, 3 minutes to setup a match, 2 minutes to land, 10 minutes for scavanging maybe 2 3 gunfigts and its over. Multiplayer landscape is looking absolute dogshit.
    I tried playing Apex Legends once. Couldn't find a gun for 5 minutes straight. If I found a gun, I couldn't find the right ammo for it. Got killed fighting with my fists. Uninstalled it the next day.
    Link
  • faraany3k faraany3k:
    What is peoples obsession with Battle Royale genre. 6 minutes to find a match, 3 minutes to setup a match, 2 minutes to land, 10 minutes for scavanging maybe 2 3 gunfigts and its over. Multiplayer landscape is looking absolute dogshit.
    • Like
    • Haha
    Reactions: iampasha and EternalBlizzard
    Link
  • M muneebjahangir:
    skip the villain arc
    Link
  • EternalBlizzard EternalBlizzard:
    iampasha said:
    I usually stay away from animes. Vinland saga changed the way i look at my life, and my experiences within. I recommend every breathing human being to watch this animated masterpiece at least once fromstart to finish.
    After I watched it, I never felt like i watched a show. It was a friggin journey. I got way too attached to Thorfinn and seeing him grow up and find himself and get rid of all the negativity inside of him was just pure bliss.
    Link
  • iampasha iampasha:
    EternalBlizzard said:
    Vinland Saga > Berserk
    I usually stay away from animes. Vinland saga changed the way i look at my life, and my experiences within. I recommend every breathing human being to watch this animated masterpiece at least once fromstart to finish.
    • Like
    Reactions: EternalBlizzard
    Link
  • Necrokiller Necrokiller:
    Crapcom's RE Engine expose hogaya saaeen. This shit ain't worth experiencing on any platform. 🤷‍♂️
    Link
  • Chandoo Chandoo:
    When a $399 console provides the same experience as a 4090. Yikes indeed saeen :sneaky:
    Link
  • Necrokiller Necrokiller:
    that's a yikes saaaen
    Link
  • Necrokiller Necrokiller:
    " Both PS5 and Series X have an unlocked frame-rate here, with performance that generally lies between 30fps and 45fps. That makes for a stuttering and inconsistent output in general play, no matter what you are doing at any given time."
    • Haha
    Reactions: EternalBlizzard
    Link
  • Link
  • EternalBlizzard EternalBlizzard:
    Vinland Saga > Berserk
    • Like
    Reactions: iampasha
    Link
  • faraany3k faraany3k:
    I absolutely hate parry and Sekiro made me love it, i hate sci fi and Mass Effect made me love it. This is the definition of genre defining experiences.
    Link
  • Necrokiller Necrokiller:
    Forbidden West Complete Edition now available on your fav websites. And Nixxes showed Crapcom how it's done 👍
    Link
  • Necrokiller Necrokiller:
    RE Engine is just utter shit for anything other than corridor design remakes
    Link
  • Necrokiller Necrokiller:
    This is a console first developer. LMAO
    Link
  • Link
  • faraany3k faraany3k:
    With how great cod warzone has translated onto mobile. Mainstream Consoles have lost its value even further. Maybe console gaming was associated with TVs and how TV is not the primary source of media consumption anymore, consoles will lose its 200 million core audiences even further.
    Link
    EternalBlizzard EternalBlizzard: Why is everybody so hyped up about this overrated piece of trash called unicorn overlord