India, Jan. 24 -- Health officials across Maharashtra are making urgent efforts to put systems in place after the state public health department advanced the immunisation schedule for Hajj pilgrims from April to February this year, said officials on Friday. The vaccination drive was advanced after the Hajj Committee indicated that Ramadan would begin from February 17.

The health department's order issued on Thursday directed local bodies to immediately begin medical screening and vaccination of registered pilgrims. As per the directive, beneficiaries will be administered the oral polio vaccine, the meningococcal vaccine, and influenza vaccines for high-risk individuals, as per the international travel health requirements.

According to o...