Hajj - Why It Is Crucial to Get Vaccinated Before You Travel?

Hajj is the Islamic pilgrimage that takes place annually in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, which is the holiest city for Muslims. It is the largest annual gathering worldwide, with Hajj 2019 recording about 2.5 million pilgrims. As such, general travel requirements are supposed to be observed, such as getting vaccinated and obtaining a hajj vaccination certificate.

Before setting out for hajj, pilgrims should consult a medical doctor and get vaccinated before the trip. Such visitation should come at least six weeks before the trip to give enough time for all the required vaccines. Pilgrims should, therefore, include the hajj vaccination cost in their budget as they prepare for the trip.

Throughout the pilgrimage, pilgrims are expected to maintain basic hygiene practices to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. The NHS, in collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health, has lately updated the travel recommendations and vaccine requirements for the years to come.

 Among the requirements of obtaining a visa to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage is submitting a meningitis certificate for hajj. Meningitis is one of the many diseases that pilgrims should be vaccinated against before visiting Saudi Arabia. Some countries also recommend that travellers should get vaccinated against yellow fever and poliomyelitis.

Other travel vaccinations Hillingdon clinics recommend include the hepatitis A and B vaccines. Travellers are also required to have evidence of measles immunity. Alternatively, NHS recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine before travel, which should be separated by at least 28 days.

Most importantly, pilgrims should also keep in mind getting the influenza vaccine injection for hajj. Given the millions of pilgrims from over 180 countries, the chances of catching flu can only get higher if vaccination is not administered. Other travel Hajj travel insights include the risk of tuberculosis transmission due to the crowded conditions.

Governments and medical bodies such as the NHS insist on the need for hajj and umrah vaccination since such pilgrimages involve millions of people. Making prior arrangements for vaccinations ensures that all vaccines are administered timely for disease prevention.