Saudi Arabia issues health requirements for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims

The Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health has issues the following requirements for entry in the country for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, October 24-29:

MENINGITIS VACCINATION – A certificate of vaccination against Meningococcal Meningitis is required for all visitors from all over the world. The certificate must have been issued not more than three years and not less than ten days before arrival to Saudi Arabia. Adults and children over the age of 2 years must be vaccinated with the quadrivalent vaccine (serogroups A,C, Y and W135). Children between 3 months and 2 years of age must be given two doses of the A vaccine with a 3-month interval between the two doses.

YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION – All travelers arriving from countries known to be infected with yellow fever (as shown in the World Health Organization [WHO] Weekly Epidemiological Record - http://www.who.int/wer/en/) must present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate in accordance with the International Health Regulations. In the absence of such a certificate, the person will be vaccinated upon arrival and placed under strict surveillance for 6 days from the day of vaccination or the last date of potential exposure to infection - whichever is earlier.