The vaccination period for Haj pilgrims has been extended by the Ministry of Health, officials have announced.

The Ministry of Health, along with the Ministry of Endowment and Religious Affairs (MERA), has agreed to extend the period of medical examination for pilgrims who did not yet complete the medical procedures relating to Haj. 

The extension will be to Thursday, June 1, for the remaining 262 pilgrims who have not yet completed procedures.

The Ministry of Health began conducting medical examinations and vaccinations for this year's Haj pilgrims on May 8.

"All requests for medical examination were sent electronically from the Ministry of Endowment and Religious Affairs to the system of screening pilgrims at the Ministry of Health," the statement said.

The electronic system connecting MERA with the Ministry of Health was designed by the Information Technology Authority (ITA) staff, using open source software in the design and programming of the system.

"A central team has been set up in the Ministry of Health, as well as other branches in the governorates to provide services for the screening of pilgrims," The Ministry announced.

About 12,987 pilgrims already visited health institutions for the medical examination.

On the other hand, 12,724 pilgrims have already completed the procedures for medical examinations and vaccinations, and the results of the examination were electronically sent to the Haj system at MERA.

"Pilgrims have expressed their satisfaction with the integration between the two Ministries in order to complete medical procedures electronically, especially with the SMS alert system and results of the medical examinations," the Ministry also said.

Source: Timesofoman