The Travel Clinic Ltd

Date: 30/10/08

Saudi Arabia: Hajj 2008

The annual Hajj Pilgrimage takes place in early December, and The Travel Clinic Ltd wishes to remind travellers of the need for vaccination prior to the journey.

The Travel Clinic keeps the mandatory Meningitis ACWY Vaccination in stock, but it must be administered at least 10 days (and no more than three years) before the trip for the certificate to be valid. Flu vaccine is highly recommended by the Saudi Ministry of Health due to the huge numbers of people gathering for the pilgrimage.

At this time of year. the flights and the country will be very crowded, and travellers would be wise to check their immunity to other diseases prior to travel. Consideration should be given to boosters for Diphtheria Tetanus and Polio, Measles Mumps and Rubella, and to Hepatitis A, as disease transmission is much greater in crowded conditions.

The clinic is happy to offer consultations by appointment to discuss individual requirements.

The health requirements for the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj and Umrah) are published by WHO. In summary:

1) Yellow fever vaccination
All travellers arriving from countries known to be infected with yellow fever (as per WHO) must present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. In the absence of such a certificate, the person will be vaccinated upon arrival and placed under strict surveillance for six days from the day of vaccination or the last date of potential exposure to infection - whichever is the earlier.

2) Meningococcal meningitis vaccination
All arrivals for the purposes of Umrah or pilgrimage (Hajj), or for seasonal work in the Hajj areas: All arrivals should present upon arrival a certificate of vaccination with the quadrivalent (A/C/Y/W135) vaccine against meningitis which has been issued not more than three years and no less than 10 days prior to arrival in Saudi Arabia.

The responsible authorities in the country from where the visitor comes must ensure that adults and children over the age of two years must be given one dose of quadrivalent vaccine. Children under two yrs of age have a sub-optimal response to meningococcal vaccine and the Saudi authorities have stated that children above three months and under two years of age should receive two doses at least three months apart.

3 ) Influenza vaccination
The Saudi Ministry of Health recommends influenza vaccine before arrival, especially for those at increased risk eg. the elderly, chronic chest or heart disease.

Attached document:/object/news/53209/doc/SaudiArabiaHajj2008.doc

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Organisation: The Travel Clinic Ltd

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