Hajj & Umrah Vaccinations

As millions of pilgrims from all over the world come together, many of which are from low-income countries with minimal access to healthcare, the risk of infectious disease increases dramatically. The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health won’t issue Hajj and Umrah visas without proof of vaccinations. Vaccination requirements vary depending on the country you’re travelling from. Our Hajj and Umrah Vaccinations in Hackney, London keep you safe and protected on your trip.

Health Regulations for Pilgrimage

Whichever type of pilgrimage you plan to make, there are a number of health regulations to follow. These recommendations for travellers contain all the vaccine requirements for your entry into the country. Make sure you know what you need to do before you make your pilgrimage.

Respiratory Syndrome

Since the outbreak of Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) in 2012, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health has been trying to raise awareness. The viral respiratory infection can initially cause a fever, cough, nose and throat congestion, diarrhoea and shortness of breath.

If you have any of these symptoms after travelling to Saudi Arabia, seek medical advice as soon as possible. Those infected with MERS-CoV can also carry the infection to countries outside of the Middle East, so take precaution when around those who have been on a recent pilgrimage.

For your own safety, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health recommends that the following people delay taking Hajj or Umrah:

• Those with severe medical conditions like heart, kidney or respiratory diseases
• Diabetics
• Those with immunodeficiency, terminal or malignant illnesses
• Those over 65 or under 12 years of age
• Pregnant women

What vaccinations do you need?

There are a number of different vaccines you could need before taking a trip to Saudi Arabia:

Yellow fever Vaccination. In accordance with 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 10 days and at most 10 years before arrival at the border.

Meningococcal Meningitis. Visitors 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.

Seasonal Influenza: The Saudi Ministry of Health recommends that international pilgrims be vaccinated against seasonal influenza before arrival into KSA.

Particularly those at increased risk of severe influenza diseases, including:

• pregnant women
• children under 5 years
• the elderly
• individuals with underlying health conditions such as HIV/AIDS, asthma, and chronic heart or lung diseases.

Please note that vaccinations can have side effects. It’s better to get them well before your departure date. This allows sufficient time for immunity to develop as well as allowing the site of the injection to settle.

Our pharmacists at Murrays Pharmacy are experts in administering these vaccinations.

Book an appointment below or contact us to find out more.