2014 Hajj and Umra Health Requirements

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health has put into effect requirements and recommendations for those travelers travelling to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj and/or Umra October 2-7, 2014.

There are currently travel restrictions for Pilgrims from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone; due to the current spread of Ebola virus in these countries pilgrims are banned from participating in this years Hajj and Umra,

Requirements for travelers 2 yrs and older arriving for Umra or Hajj or for seasonal work:  Meningitis vaccination (Menactra) issued within 3 years and not more than 10days of arrival in Saudi Arabia.  Those travelers entering from the African Meningitis belt countries will be give chemoprophylaxis upon arrival.

Requirement for all travelers regardless of vaccination history: Proof of Polio immunization between 4 weeks and 1 year prior to arrival is required from travelers arriving from: Afghanistan, Cameroon, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Iraq, Israel, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Somalia, Syria, or Yemen.  These travelers will also be given polio vaccine upon arrival.

Polio is also recommended for all travelers from polio-free countries.

Travellers arriving from countries at risk of Yellow Fever transmission:  Required to received Yellow Fever a minimum of 10 days prior to arrival and no more than 10 years at the border.

Influenza is recommended during flu season for all travelers.

Travellers who are elderly, immunocompromised, pregnant, chronically ill and children under 12 are recommended to postpone this year’s Hajj or Umra season for their own personal safety.