Necessary vaccinations for Hajj and Umrah travel

 Converging at the time of Hajj and Umrah rituals, millions of Muslim pilgrims travel throughout the year with Islamic Travel's best Hajj and Umrah Agents Offering Cheap Packages. Consequently, Haramain gets filled with a sea of pilgrims of different backgrounds who all are united under the religion of Islam. 

Since Saudia Arabia offers hajj and umrah visas for every country and every nation; many of these pilgrims are traveling from low-income countries i.e., with minimal access to healthcare. Thus, the risk of the spread of infectious diseases increases dramatically. Keeping in view the health and safety of everyone, The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MOH) has therefore stipulated some mandatory vaccinations that have to be carried out prior to Hajj and Umrah visas being issued to the pilgrims because it’s one of the requirements in a visa application form. Yet, the vaccination requirements for every individual may vary i.e., depending on his/her region of travel.

Here’s a brief description of the necessary vaccinations for hajj and umrah travel.

Meningococcal meningitis.

The infectious disease of Meningococcal meningitis can affect the brain membrane; causing severe brain damage and at times, it can also be fatal if left untreated. Since the outbreaks of this particular disease were prominent during the hajj in 1987, 2000, and 2001, it has now been made necessary for all pilgrims to vaccinate themselves against Meningococcal meningitis.

So, pilgrims intending to perform Hajj or Umrah regardless of their region of travel and no matter the age are required to produce and submit a valid vaccination certificate against meningococcal meningitis infection to the relevant authorities. Specifically, the pilgrims arriving from countries within the African Meningitis Belt will also be given antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin) upon their entry to the kingdom of Saudia Arabia as an additional precautionary measure.

Poliomyelitis (Polio).

Polio is a viral illness that can potentially affect and cause temporary/permanent paralysis in the human body. Though the majority of the countries are declared polio-free now, it still exists as an outbreak in some countries. That’s why proof of the vaccination i.e., dose of an oral polio vaccine (OPV), or inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) is required from pilgrims.

The vaccine against polio must either be administered within the previous 12 months or at least 4 weeks before one’s arrival in Saida Arabia, regardless of the age or vaccination status. Despite this, some pilgrims would also receive an additional single dose of oral polio vaccine upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia as well.

Yellow fever.

Yellow fever is a fatal viral infection that is usually spread by certain a type of mosquitoes. As the disease of yellow fever is predominantly found in sub-Saharan Africa, South America as well as certain parts of the Caribbean – all pilgrims traveling from these countries will be required to submit a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. 

The vaccination must either be administered by the pilgrims within the last 10 years or no less than 10 days prior to their departure to Saudia Arabia. Otherwise, pilgrims arriving in Saudia Arabia without a valid yellow fever certificate will be vaccinated on the spot and then put under surveillance (quarantine) for 6 days at least.

These are some of the necessary vaccinations required for Hajj and Umrah travel.