Every year, millions of Muslim pilgrims arrive in the holy city of Makkah for the holy rituals of Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. Traveling through Baitullah Travel Offers Cheap Hajj and Umrah Packages, hajj pilgrims arrive once every year during the month of Dhu-al-Hijjah while umrah can be performed at any time of the year. So, when such a huge crowd of pilgrims is present inside Haramain, public health and safety become the top priority for Saudi Government. Keeping in view this, the Saudi Authorities have imposed various guidelines on the pilgrims traveling there for the holy rituals. Among them, getting necessary vaccinations is a basic requirement.

Pilgrims of Hajj and Umrah arriving in the region should only arrive after having received the necessary vaccination shots. They should also possess the vaccination certificate with them as they can be asked to show the proof of vaccination anytime upon arrival to the kingdom.

On the other hand, if anyone arrives in Saudi Arabia without having a vaccination, he/she will be vaccinated there on the spot before being permitted entry to Masjid-al-Harm for holy rituals.

Here are some of the necessary vaccinations for hajj and umrah travel.

Meningococcal Meningitis

Umrah and Hajj visitors, regardless of their region of travel, are required to have a vaccination certificate against Meningococcal Meningitis because the ministry is very strict about it. As a matter of fact, they have the right to cancel your visa application if you do not have a vaccination against Meningococcal Meningitis.

The vaccine against Meningococcal Meningitis should either be administered not more than three years ago or given to the traveler less than 10 days ago from its date of arrival in the kingdom. Thus, every pilgrim, adults, and even children over the age of 2, need to have one dose of the ‘Quadrivalent Polysaccharide Vaccine’.

Poliomyelitis

Pilgrims traveling from the polio epidemic regions or countries with re-established transmission must take at least one dose of oral polio vaccination before their departure to the kingdom. This vaccination is also necessary for every pilgrim regardless of their age.

Proof of the vaccination is also required against Poliomyelitis at least 6 weeks before the date of departure. In addition to this, the travelers might also be given one additional dose of oral polio vaccination upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.

Yellow Fever

Vaccination for yellow fever is only necessary for those pilgrims who are traveling from countries where yellow fever exists as a prominent disease. Such a person needs to be vaccinated within a minimum of ten days before its travel to the kingdom. So, you can easily check the list of the countries that have this particular vaccination a requirement on the Saudi Arabian embassy’s website.

Nonetheless, the type of vaccinations required for every individual i.e., a pilgrim traveling to Saudia Arabia will definitely differ depending upon its country or region of travel. Therefore, it’s necessary that you get yourself educated on the necessary vaccination(s) required on your passport.