Meningitis vaccination requirement for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims not canceled – Sanepidkomita

Earlier, there were reports that the requirement to have a meningitis vaccination certificate for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages had been lifted. The Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Wellbeing and Public Health has clarified that these reports are not true, and that Saudi Arabia has not officially lifted the requirement for meningitis vaccination certificates for Umrah and Hajj pilgrims.

"In order to prevent the introduction of infectious diseases into our country from abroad and maintain epidemiological stability, it is recommended that pilgrims be vaccinated against meningitis," the committee said in a statement.

Azon Global contacted industry representatives to clarify these reports. It was reported that at present, a meningitis vaccine certificate is not required for pilgrims traveling for Umrah. The vaccination procedure against this disease for the Hajj pilgrimage remains in force.