With the Hajj season around the corner, all pilgrims are encouraged to prepare themselves for the first pilgrimage in two years.
To perform the Hajj, they are required to fulfil all the requirements and below we have gathered all the information about the Hajj vaccination as one of the most important elements of Hajj preparation.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that a full vaccination of Covid-19 with one of the approved Covid-19 vaccines is a requirement for all pilgrims who participate in Hajj this year.
Below are the list of the approved Covid-19 vaccines in Saudi Arabia:
According to the International Health Regulations 2005, all travellers arriving from countries or areas at risk of yellow fever must present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate showing that the person was vaccinated at least ten days and ten years before arrival border.
In case of the absence of such a certificate, the individual will be placed under strict surveillance for six days from the date of vaccination or the last date of potential exposure to infection, whichever is earlier.
Below are the list of the yellow fever risk countries:
Hajj pilgrims must submit a vaccination certificate against meningitis with the quadrivalent (ACYW135) vaccine issued no more than three years and no less than ten days before arrival in Saudi Arabia.
All visitors from polio-endemic countries and re-established transmission countries should receive one dose of oral polio vaccine (regardless of age and vaccination status).
Proof of polio vaccination at least six weeks before departure is required for visitors from polio-endemic and re-established transmission countries to apply for an entry visa for Saudi Arabia, and travellers will also receive one dose of OPV at border points on arrival in Saudi Arabia.
The exact requirements are valid for travellers from recently endemic countries at high risk of re-importation of poliovirus.
In addition, irrespective of previous immunization history, all visitors under 15 years arriving in Saudi Arabia will also receive one dose of OPV at border points.
Below is the list of polio-endemic countries:
The Saudi Ministry of Health recommends that international pilgrims be vaccinated against seasonal influenza before arrival in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, particularly those at increased risk of severe influenza diseases, including pregnant women, children under five years, the elderly, and individuals with underlying health conditions such as HIV/Aids, asthma, and chronic heart or lung diseases.
In Saudi Arabia, seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for internal pilgrims, particularly those at risk described above, and all healthcare workers on the Hajj premises.
ALSO READ: 407 places to be allocated to local pilgrims to perform Haj this year