Kathmandu, July 11 -- Every year, Muslims from across the world, along with Nepali Muslims, travel to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, in an annual Islamic pilgrimage.

But before embarking on their journey, the pilgrims need to be vaccinated, as without certificates of immunisation, the host country (Saudi Arabia) does not allow Hajj pilgrims to visit Mecca.

There is only a week left for the 1,200 Nepali Muslims who are set to embark on their journey to get vaccinated, but the government is yet to finalise the tender process to procure the required vaccines.

The Management Division under the Department of Health Services has decided to purchase vaccines for Hajj pilgrims through a fast-track process this year also, according to officials.

"But...