Haj pilgrims must be vaccinated against seasonal flu: Saudi Arabia

DUBAI - As a swine flu epidemic rages globally, Saudi Arabia has advised all pilgrims traveling for the Haj to vaccinate themselves against seasonal human influenza.

The Ministry of Health advises all pilgrims, whether arriving from outside or inside the Kingdom, to obtain the seasonal human influenza vaccine prior to their departure to perform Haj or Omrah rituals, especially those who are more exposed to the disease, such as the elderly and people suffering from chronic respiratory disorders, diabetes, or kidney, liver, or heart failure, a posting on its website said.

The posting, headlined Haj Requirements for Haj and Omrah Performers, 1430, also advises vaccination against meningococcal meningitis.

All persons arriving for Haj, Omrah, or for seasonal work in the sacred shrines from any country must show a valid vaccination certificate verifying he had been vaccinated against Meningococcal Meningitis within a period of not less than 10 days and not more than 3 years prior to his arrival to the Kingdom, provided the health authorities at the country of origin must ensure that all adults and children above two years have been vaccinated by one dose of the quaternary vaccine (ACYW135), the posting said.

It also advises vaccination against yellow fever and polio for pilgrims traveling from countries where the two diseases are prevalent.

Some two million pilgrims are expected to perform the Haj. They will begin arriving in Saudi Arabia in November.