What Vaccines Do You Need for Hajj and Umrah?
In 2022, the Saudi Ministry of Health set several vaccination criteria for Hajj and Umrah Entry Visa applicants. In addition, the government approved specific COVID-19 vaccines for travel to the Kingdom. If you want to go to Saudi Arabia for Hajj or Umrah, you need to get up-to-date information from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Keep reading to find out where and how to get Hajj and Umrah vaccines in Bury.
What are Hajj and Umrah?
Hajj is a religious pilgrimage by Muslims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Before the COVID pandemic spread around the world, more than a million pilgrims participated in Hajj every year.
The pilgrimage takes place from the eighth to the thirteenth day of the 12th and final month of the Islamic calendar. The Hajj date is 11 days earlier each year since the Islamic calendar is 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar.
Umrah is a pilgrimage to Mecca that can take place at any time of the year. Umrah can be:
– Combined with Hajj (known as Umrat al-tammatu).
– Performed independently (known as al-Umrat al mufradah).
The Saudi Arabian Regulations & Hajj and Umrah vaccines in Bury
The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health (MoH) provides immunisation recommendations and entrance visa requirements for Hajj and Umrah. This is done every year.
It is crucial to note that physical fitness is required for Hajj and Umrah. You might want to delay Hajj or Umrah if you:
– Are over the age of 65
– Suffer from a chronic illness, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, or lung disease
– Have a medical condition that weakens your immune system
– Have a fatal disease, such as cancer
– Are pregnant
– Are under the age of 12
Hajj and Umrah vaccines in Bury
It’s recommended that you consult with your health officer at least six weeks before your departure date. Additionally, you can contact us for any information regarding Hajj and Umrah.
Before travelling for Hajj or Umrah, the following vaccines are required:
Yellow Fever
In accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005, all travellers arriving from countries or regions at risk of yellow fever are required to submit a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. This is to prove that they were immunised between ten days and ten years prior to crossing the border. If the person doesn’t have this certificate, they will be closely watched for six days after the date of their vaccination or the date of their last possible exposure to infection, whichever date comes first.
The Meningococcal Disease
Visitors arriving for Umrah, Hajj, or seasonal work are required to provide proof of immunisation. Before going to Saudi Arabia, you should get the quadrivalent (ACYW135) meningitis vaccine.
Polio
All travellers from polio-endemic and re-established transmission countries must receive one oral polio vaccine dosage (regardless of age and vaccination status). Visitors from these countries need to provide proof of polio vaccination at least six weeks prior to departure in order to apply for a Saudi Arabian visa; travellers will also get one dose of oral polio vaccine (OPV) upon entry.
The same restrictions apply to travellers from recently endemic countries with a high risk of poliovirus re-importation. In addition, regardless of immunisation history, all tourists under the age of 15 entering Saudi Arabia will receive one dose of OPV at the border.
Flu vaccine
Before entering the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Ministry of Health recommends that international pilgrims get a seasonal flu shot. This is especially important for people who are more likely to get serious flu complications, such as pregnant women, children under the age of five, the elderly, and people with HIV/AIDS, asthma, or chronic heart or lung conditions.
In Saudi Arabia, a seasonal influenza vaccine is advised for all internal pilgrims, especially those at risk as indicated above, as well as for all healthcare personnel on Hajj who will be working seasonally.
Are COVID vaccines part of Hajj and Umrah vaccines in Bury?
All travellers entering Saudi Arabia are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to obtaining an entry visa. If you have received two doses of an approved vaccine, you are considered completely immunised. Among the authorised vaccinations are:
– Moderna (twice)
– Pfizer-BioNTech (2 injections)
– AstraZeneca (2 injections)
– SinoVac (two rounds) (vaccination considered complete if a booster is received)
– The Johnson & Johnson company (1 shot)
If you intend to travel to Saudi Arabia, it is imperative that you acquire the necessary vaccines before departure.
Each Hajj visa applicant must apply through a licensed travel agency. The agency must provide the Consulate with copies of “Accommodation Contacts” and a letter from the Ministry of Hajj in Saudi Arabia attesting that they have met all qualifications to serve pilgrims. The applicant must have a passport that is good for at least six months after entering Saudi Arabia.
Book your appointment with us today to get your Hajj and Umrah vaccines.
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This blog post was written on behalf of Pimhole Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor.