Saudi Arabia is a popular travel destination for millions of pilgrims who arrive there either to perform Umrah or hajj. Many of them come from third world countries where different diseases like Yellow Fever, polio, etc. are common. Before booking your Umrah package, make sure if you are on the list of those countries, you have your vaccination certificates.
Vaccination certificates required for Umrah
Meningococcal meningitis
Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial type of meningitis, a specific disease of the thin coating around the brain and spinal cord. If not treated at the proper time, it can affect your brain membrane and can cause severe damages to your mental health. There are two basic types of meningococcal meningitis vaccines. One is a polysaccharide, and the second is conjugate.
Both types of vaccination certificates are valid and acceptable in Saudi Arabia, but conjugate is recommended. As it is considered valid if it is administrated in the last eight years and no less than ten days before arrival in Saudi Arabia. Proof of vaccination must be submitted within the visa application, as it will be checked at the airport. Pilgrims from all around the world must have this certificate.
Yellow Fever
Yellow fever is an intense viral hemorrhagic sickness transmitted by contaminated mosquitoes. Side effects of yellow fever incorporate jaundice, fever, retching, muscle torment, and exhaustion. It is usually difficult to examine by symptoms at its early stages. If a patient feels any of these signs in his/her body, he/she must consult a doctor.
You must need a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever at the time of arrival in Saudi Arabia. If you don’t have a valid one, you will be vaccinated at the airport and put under observation for six days. Pilgrims arriving from Africa and America (selected states) must need a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Polio
Polio short form of Poliomyelitis is a viral disease that can cause nerve injury leading to permanent paralysis, difficulty in breathing, and even death. This is a type of virus that usually affects very young children. It is transmitted through a person to another person.
There is no treatment for this illness is available. Its only precaution is immunization. After the introduction of the polio vaccine, the cases of polio have been decreased by a large number worldwide.
Still, some third world countries like Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen have a considerable number of polio cases. Pilgrims from these countries also receive an additional dose of vaccination at the airport.
Seasonal Influenza
Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH) advise all pilgrims to obtain a certificate against seasonal influenza regardless of their age and gender who are coming to perform either Umrah or Hajj. Especially for those who are at high risk of it such as children over five, pregnant ladies, the aged, those who are suffering from heart disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory and immunosuppression.
Vaccinations certificate required for Umrah from the UK
If you are going to book either a cheap hajj package or an Umrah package, keep in mind that you must have all of these certificates. If you cannot obtain all of these and you are from the UK, you are recommended to have MCV4 equivalent to (A/C/Y/W135).
