Vaccinations

As you are going on pilgrimage you should get protection against meningitis.
Outbreaks of meningitis have occurred during previous Hajj pilgrimages and have then spread to other countries when pilgrims returned home. So, vaccination is recommended for your own protection, including for those under the age of two years. Its purpose is to protect you and to help prevent the spread of this disease.
The Government of Saudi Arabia requires all pilgrims aged two years and older coming for Hajj or Umrah to show proof of vaccination against meningococcal meningitis ACW135Y. Vaccination is also a requirement for obtaining a visa.

You should have the vaccination: not less than ten days before arrival in Saudi Arabia and if there have been three years since a previous dose

One dose of the conjugated ACWY vaccine (either Menveo® or Nimenrix®) is the preferred vaccine for all travellers from one year old and above because this type of vaccine is the most effective.
Children aged two months to one year should receive two doses of conjugated vaccine with an interval of one month.  
If conjugated vaccine is not available, then the plain (polysaccharide) vaccine can be used (ACWY Vax). However, the protection given by this type of vaccine is not as long lasting as that from the conjugated vaccine, particularly in younger children. It also worth noting that you may not respond as well to the vaccine if you have had previous doses of the (plain) vaccine; this may mean that you may not be as well protected against meningitis in the future.

The listed price of conjugate vaccines are (correct at time of devising web contact - contact us if you have updated rates):

• Men ACWY conjugate (Menveo): £40.01 (ex VAT) per dose (manufactured by Novartis Vaccines).
• Men ACWY conjugate (Nimenrix): £30 (ex VAT) per dose (manufactured by GSK).

The listed price of plain (polysaccharide) vaccine is -

• Men ACWY Polysaccharide (ACWY Vax): £16.73 (ex VAT) per dose (manufactured by GSK).

Your provider will make an additional charge for giving you the vaccination.

The details of the vaccination should be recorded in a vaccination book showing the traveller’s full name. If you have an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) booklet, meningococcal meningitis vaccine can be recorded in the ‘Other Vaccinations’ pages.

All pilgrims must make sure that they are up to date with all their vaccinations according to the UK schedule. They should also check with their travel adviser that they have all other necessary vaccinations.

• The Saudi Ministry of Health has now established 21 hospitals to provide health care to pilgrims free of charge.
• Before you go you will need to have been vaccinated with the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine (ACWY Vax). You will be required to produce a valid vaccination certificate. Consult your GP if you are in any doubt.
• The FCO also strongly recommends that pilgrims have a seasonal influenza vaccination prior to embarking on the trip.
• For more information on health advice for travellers, visit the NaTHNac and NHS websites.

The first port of call should be your GP who will be able to arrange these injections for you. Please note that you will be charged for these.  You can also visit a local travel clinic. Your GP’s reception staff should be able to advise you of one. There are some Muslim led organisations that provide vaccination clinics specifically for Hajj. Look out for advertisements for these in local masajid, in some ethnic media and on select TV channels.