Umrah is a sunnah for Muslims. For which, millions of pilgrims every year, go to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah to perform the holy ritual. With thousands of Muslims coming from all over the world and performing Umrah together every month, the risk of infectious and viral diseases drastically increases. As some of them come from countries where health facilities aren’t that good or have minimal access to quality healthcare. Therefore, the Saudia Arabian Ministry of Health (MoH) has made it compulsory for all the pilgrims to take recommended vaccines before entering the kingdom and should also contain valid proof with them. Whether you are booking umrah packages from London or any other part of the world, vaccination is necessary. However, it may vary depending on the region/country you are traveling from.
Here is a small list of vaccinations that are usually required.
Poliomyelitis (Polio)
Poliomyelitis, better known as Polio, is an infectious viral disease that can cause temporary to permanent paralysis. In the past, it was a common disease in the UK and many other parts of the world, which now, are declared as polio-free. Although the virus is still linked to countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Niger, Papua New Guinea, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen. Thus, the pilgrims coming from these countries must have received either IPV or OPV vaccines in this regard within the previous 12 months or at least 4 weeks prior to arrival in Saudia Arabia. An additional OPV dose will also be given upon arrival by the Saudia’s (MoH).
Yellow fever
Yellow fever is a dangerous viral disease spread by a particular type of mosquitoes. The disease is native to South America, sub-Saharan Africa and certain parts of the Caribbean. Therefore, Muslims coming from the countries with high-risk of yellow fever have to show a vaccination certificate of either receiving the dose in the last 10 years or at least 10 days prior to arrival. The certificate of vaccination is valid for life.
Meningococcal meningitis
Meningococcal meningitis is a virus that can severely harm the brain membrane ultimately causing brain damage which is fatal. There are two types of vaccines available for this disease, both acceptable by Saudia’s Ministry of Health.
1. Quadrivalent (ACWY) Polysaccharide vaccine; received in the last 3 years or at least 10 days prior to entry in Saudia Arabia.
2. Quadrivalent (ACWY) Conjugate vaccine; received in the last 5 years or at least 10 days prior to arrival for Umrah/Hajj.
Other Vaccines
There are a number of other diseases for which the vaccination is necessary. Pre-arrival consultation with your doctor and observing the need for any sort of vaccination(s) is usually advised. So that your pilgrimage must be safe for yourself as well as for others. The diseases significantly include Seasonal Influenza, Measles, Hepatitis A and B, Cholera, Pneumococcal, Rabies, Tetanus, Typhoid, Mumps, Rotavirus, Tuberculosis, Varicella, Rubella, and Diphtheria.
The risk of spreading of these diseases is high during the days Ramadan, Hajj, and Umrah season. So, if you have booked your umrah Ramadan packages for 2020, you should consult your doctor and receive the vaccination preliminarily.
