Umrah or Hajj vaccination - things you should know as pilgrim
Umrah vaccination is the health requirement for Umrah performers as per the Saudi Health Ministry. The same will be applied for Hajj pilgrimage also.It is important to understand that the vaccination for your own safety. So please dont try for the excuse to avoid doing it.
This is mandated to avoid the susceptibility of catching infectious diseases due to the overcrowding of pilgrims at Mecca.
Various types of vaccination
Meningococcal Meningitis
Applicable for Visitors from all countries. This is mandatory and protect you against meningitis. You have to attach this certificate to get the visaVisitors arriving for the purpose of Umrah or pilgrimage (Hajj) or for seasonal work are required to submit a certificate of vaccination with the quadrivalent (ACYW135) vaccine against meningitis issued no more than 3 years and no less than 10 days before arrival in Saudi Arabia.
The responsible authorities in the visitor’s country of origin should ensure that adults and children over the age of 2 years are given 1 dose of the quadrivalent polysaccharide (ACYW135) vaccine.
This vaccination valid for 3 years, so please keep the certificate with you, you can use the same certificate for another visits with in three years
Seasonal Influenza:
The Saudi Ministry of Health recommends that international pilgrims be vaccinated against seasonal influenza before arrival into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly those at increased risk of severe influenza diseases, including pregnant women, children under 5 years, the elderly, and individuals with underlying health conditions such as HIV/AIDS, asthma, and chronic heart or lung diseases.While the Quadruple Meningococcal vaccine is mandatory by law of Saudi Arabia to protect people against meningitis, we also recommend Seasonal Influenza and Pneumococcal. The latter is particularly important for the following groups: people with weak immune system; 65 years and above and patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart problem, lung problem (including asthma), liver problem, kidney problem, etc. told by Dr. Farida Al Hosani, Manager, Communicable Disease Department at HAAD
Pneumococcal vaccine
Recommended to protect against pneumococcal disease , it is important for the following groups: people with weak immune system; 65 years and above and patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart problem, lung problem (including asthma), liver problem, kidney problem, etc.
Download the Health booklet from HAAD Where to get Umrah vaccination in UAE
Umrah vaccination cost and locations in Dubai mentioned here,
The vaccination service is available free of charge for the residents in the abudhabi emirate. The list of healthcare facilities for pilgrims can be found at www.haad.ae/vaccine or by calling Abu Dhabi contact centre 800555.
Related Posts
1. Umrah - Preparatory guide
2. How to perform Umrah - Step by step
Vaccination Card Samples
When getting vaccinated, it is advised to take a valid stamped vaccine certificate from the chosen healthcare facility. The stamped card you can refer as sample
It is also recommended that travelers should visit their doctors at least 4 weeks prior to their travel to get their condition reviewed.
