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Vaccination for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims

Vaccine is compulsory for all Hajj and Umrah pilgrims

  • Meningitis occurs in all countries, although it is much more common in certain areas and the risk of getting meningitis can be higher in crowded conditions 
  • Epidemics and outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis have been linked to the Hajj pilgrimage 
  • Vaccination is compulsory for all Hajj and Umrah pilgrims during Hajj season 
  • Three conjugate vaccines are available in the UK 

Mass gatherings such as Hajj and Umrah can be associated with increased risk of spreading infectious diseases such as meningitis. Large epidemics of meningococcal disease have been linked to the Hajj pilgrimage in the past, at first due to group A bacteria and then in 2000/2001 to group W meningococcal bacteria when pilgrims returned to their own countries1,2.

Because of these epidemics, quadrivalent MenACWY vaccination has been a compulsory entry requirement into Saudi Arabia for pilgrims on Hajj and Umrah, and for other travellers in Hajj season since 2002.   It protects against meningitis caused by four different strains of meningococcal bacteria: A, C, W and Y. 

It is recommended that all pilgrims on Hajj or Umrah regardless of age be vaccinated with ACWY.  Pilgrims on Hajj or Umrah aged 2 and above are required to present a certificate of vaccination with ACWY before they can gain entry into Saudi Arabia during Hajj season.  The certificate must have been issued at least 10 days before arrival. This also applies to seasonal workers in Hajj areas. 

Every year the Saudi Ministry of Health issue requirements for entry visas relevant to pilgrims. The rituals of Hajj are expected to start from the evening of June 14, 2024, and continue until the evening of June 19, 2024. The actual dates depend on the sighting of the moon of Dhul Hijjah. Requirements for entry to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj during the 2024 Hajj season.

A.

The vaccines available are either conjugate vaccines or polysaccharide vaccines.  

Conjugate vaccines produce a long-lasting immune response and are effective in babies as young as 2 months of age. Protection from polysaccharide vaccines does not last as long as protection from conjugate vaccines and polysaccharide vaccines will not provide protection to young children. 

It is important to make sure that the name of the vaccine given is clearly recorded on your vaccination certificate.  Certificates of vaccination which state that conjugate vaccine was received are valid for 5 years, but certificates which do not state the name of the vaccine received or which state that a polysaccharide vaccine was received are only valid for travel 3 years after the date of immunisation3.

A.

Three conjugate MenACWY vaccines are available in the UK, Menveo®, Nimenrix® and MenQuadfi®.

Polysaccharide MenACWY vaccines are no longer available in the UK, but are available in some other countries.

A.

The ingredients of the three conjugate vaccines available in the UK have been in use for many years. Both Menveo® and Nimenrix® have been used as travel vaccines for and have routinely been used in the UK as teenage immunisations. 

The vaccines have excellent safety profiles, although mild side effects are fairly common, including pain where the vaccine was injected, and sometimes headache, or nausea.

A.
Remember there are strains of meningitis that cannot be prevented, so it is important to know the symptoms to look out for because early treatment saves lives. 
A.
  1. Lingappa, J.R., et al., Serogroup W-135 meningococcal disease during the Hajj, 2000. Emerg Infect Dis, 2003. 9(6): p. 665-71. 
  1. Hahne, S.J., et al., W135 meningococcal disease in England and Wales associated with Hajj 2000 and 2001. Lancet, 2002. 359(9306): p. 582-3. 
Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib)

Vaccines that protect against Hib meningitis are routinely given to babies in many countries.


Since the Hib vaccine was introduced in the UK in 1992, cases have dropped by over 90%.

Find out more
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Not all causes of meningitis and septicaemia are vaccine preventable so being able to recognise the symptoms is vital
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MRF Evidence and Policy Manager (Prevention), Claire Wright, discusses the pros and cons of making vaccination compulsory in the fight against meningitis and septicaemia
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Why don’t some people get their life-saving vaccines?
Vaccine hesitancy is one of the biggest threats to global health. But why does it happen?
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Connect families affected by meningitis so they don’t feel alone
Connect families affected by meningitis so they don’t feel alone
£58 funds one support worker to attend our ‘Meningitis Meet-Ups’ – a chance for families affected by meningitis to meet each other for informal peer support.
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Membership and support

The MRF Membership and Support team are here for you for any questions you might have about meningitis and septicaemia and their effects on you, or your family and friends.

Tel: Helpline UK 080 8800 3344 Ireland 1800 41 33 44
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