Hajj and Umra Health Regulations

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health requirements and recommendations will be in effect for travelers participating in Hajj 1445H (June 14-19, 2024) and/or the 2024-25 Umra season as follows:

Travel restrictions

None

Meningococcal meningitis

Required: Proof of meningococcal vaccination (issued at least 10 days but not > 5 years prior to arrival, with a quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine) for all travelers aged ≥ 1 year arriving for the purpose of Umra or Hajj pilgrimage or seasonal work in Hajj/Umra zones. The certificate must clearly state conjugate for 5-year validity to apply, otherwise it will only be considered valid for 3 years. Additionally, antibiotic chemoprophylaxis may be administered to certain travelers upon arrival if deemed necessary by port-of-entry officials.

Polio

Required: Proof of vaccination (at least 1 dose of inactivated poliovirus vaccine [IPV] or bivalent oral poliovirus vaccine [OPV]) given between 4 weeks and 1 year prior to arrival for travelers (regardless of age or previous vaccination status) arriving from the following countries reporting WPV1 or cVDVP1: Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Yemen.

Required: Proof of vaccination (at least 1 dose of IPV; OPV is acceptable if IPV is not available) given between 4 weeks and 1 year prior to arrival for travelers (regardless of age or previous vaccination status) arriving from the following countries reporting cVDPV2 or AFP cases: Algeria, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Guinea, Indonesia, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Yemen, Zambia.

Required: Regardless of vaccination status, travelers from Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Yemen will also be given 1 dose of OPV upon arrival.

Recommended: Vaccination (at least 1 dose of IPV; OPV is acceptable if IPV is not available) for travelers arriving from the following countries reporting cVDPV2 positive environmental samples: Egypt, Republic of the Congo, UK, US.

Yellow fever

Required: Proof of yellow fever (YF) vaccination (valid for life) in accordance with international health regulations for all travelers aged > 9 months arriving from countries at risk of YF transmission or having transited an airport for longer than 12 hours in these countries. Vaccine must be administered at least 10 days prior to arrival at the border. Both new and existing certificates of vaccination are valid for the life of the person vaccinated.

COVID-19

Recommended: A primary vaccination series with a recognized vaccine (AstraZeneca, Bharat Biotech [Covaxin], Gamaleya [Sputnik V], Janssen/J&J, Moderna, Novavax [Covovax and Nuvaxovid], Pfizer, Sinopharm, and Sinovac vaccines) for all pilgrims aged ≥ 12 years.

Influenza

Recommended: Vaccination with the most current seasonal influenza vaccine available at least 10 days prior to arrival in Hajj/Umra areas for all visiting pilgrims and seasonal workers, particularly those at increased risk for severe complications, such as pregnant women, children younger than 5 years, adults older than 65 years, and those with chronic or immunocompromised medical conditions. Southern Hemisphere vaccine is recommended for all pilgrims from the Southern Hemisphere or from countries that routinely use this vaccine.

Public health

Pilgrims are encouraged to observe good respiratory hygiene (cough and sneeze etiquette) and hand hygiene (frequent, thorough handwashing with soap and water for 20 seconds [or using a hand sanitizer containing 60% alcohol]); to wear masks, especially in crowded locations; to avoid contact with and sharing personal belongings with ill-appearing persons; to avoid close contact with animals, especially camels; and to avoid consumption of raw camel milk, camel urine, and improperly cooked meat.

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

Efforts to prevent MERS-CoV infection during Hajj/Umra have been implemented; no known MERS cases have ever been reported in Hajj pilgrims.

Chikungunya, dengue, and Zika

The Aedes aegypti mosquito that transmits these diseases has not been detected in Hajj or Umra areas for years, although it is present in surrounding cities. Travelers should observe insect precautions.

Additional considerations

Additionally, Shoreland recommends hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and typhoid vaccination and that all routine vaccinations (including MMR, polio [adequate primary series and 1 adult dose], Tdap, and varicella) be up-to-date. For more information, see Hajj and Umra Travelers.