DUSHANBE, October 15, 2009, Asia-Plus – A consignment of a tetravalent polio vaccine, totaling 5,500 doses, has been delivered to Tajikistan from Saudi Arabia for Tajik Hajj pilgrims, the First Deputy Minister of Health, Ms. Saida Jobirova, said in an interview with Asia-Plus Thursday afternoon.
She noted that persons who will perform the Hajj this year will be administered the tetravalent polio vaccine “starting from October 15.”
According to her, the second vaccine – a human flu vaccine – will be delivered to Tajikistan from Switzerland within the ext few days.
We will recall that Ms. Jobirova told Asia-Plus on September 7 that polio and human flu vaccinations have been made mandatory for Tajik Muslims to perform the Hajj of this year. These are recommendations and conditions of the State Hajj Committee of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, she noted.
Persons who will perform the Hajj this year must be administered the tetravalent polio vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine at least two weeks before embarking on the pilgrimage.
According to Ms. Jobirova, a total cost of both vaccines is some 28.00 U.S. dollars.
Besides, the Saudi State Hajj Committee also noted that if the avian influenza vaccine is made before the beginning of the Hajj performance period (ahead of Idi Qurbon), the pilgrimages must be administered this vaccine as well.
“Tajikistan is currently conducting negotiations with Russia’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection on the issue of the avian influenza vaccine. According to the preliminary estimates, the work on making the bird flu vaccine may be completed in late September or early October this year and the price of this vaccine will be much higher that the prices of the two mentioned vaccines,” Jobirova said.
This year, the Hajj will take place in November and 5,000 Tajik Muslims are expected to take part in the holy pilgrimage this year.
