Saudi Arabia- May 2024- The Ministry of Health (MOH) called on pilgrims coming from inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and wishing to perform Hajj this year, to take and complete vaccination doses well in advance, and document them in Sehhaty application. The mandatory vaccinations are one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine given during 1445 AH, one dose of the influenza vaccine given during 1445 AH, and one dose of the meningitis vaccine given during the past five years, to ensure the health of domestic pilgrims and the other pilgrims who are performing Hajj this year.

The MOH pointed out that vaccinations for domestic pilgrims are available in primary healthcare centers, and those wishing to perform Hajj this year must book an appointment through Sehhaty application. Pilgrims coming from outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia must review the health requirements on the Saudi Ministry of Health portal.

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The Ministry attributed the completion of vaccinations before Hajj to the fact that the Hajj season brings together large crowds of people coming from all over of the world performing the same rituals in one place, which may expose them to infection with many infectious diseases spread in some countries of the world.

Also Read: UAE Residents Travelling to Saudi for Umrah-Hajj? Here’s what you need to know About the Vaccine You Need to Take

The MOH explained that the pilgrim must take vaccinations and adhere to the health requirements and guidelines set by the “MOH” before arriving at the Holy Sites. This will help protecting the pilgrim from contracting various diseases that could hinder the completion of the Hajj rituals, protecting the other pilgrims and those serving them, in addition to performing and completing rituals in a safe manner, and allowing those coming from abroad to enter the Kingdom and the holy sites.

The most prominent Hajj vaccinations for pilgrims coming from outside the Kingdom include vaccination against Neisseria meningitis, which protects against a serious bacterial infection that affects the brain and spinal cord and is transmitted by respiratory droplets, in addition to vaccination against yellow fever, which protects against a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes, besides vaccination against poliomyelitis.

The MOH recommended the importance of completing immunization with vaccines approved in the Kingdom, including vaccination against the Covid-19 and seasonal influenza, in addition to updating immunization against targeted diseases with basic immunizations such as diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, measles, chicken pox, and mumps.