Umrah Health Requirements for the Worldwide Muslims

Many Muslims from worldwide travel to Saudi Arabia, each year to perform Umrah. Because of the large crowd at that time, the risk of getting deadly and contagious infections from different regions is higher.

The ministry of health has set several conditions to be fulfilled by applicants to acquire an entry Visa for Umrah in Saudi Arabia. These health requirements consist of:

Yellow Fever

Under the international health regulations 2005, individuals entering from yellow fever risk regions must provide a yellow fever vaccination certificate dated between 10 days and 10 years prior to crossing the border. If the certificate is not present, the person will be closely monitored for 6 days starting from the vaccination date or the latest potential exposure to infection. Health authorities at entry points have the duty of informing the relevant director general of health affairs in the region or governorate regarding the visitor’s temporary address.

Aircraft, vessels, and other forms of transportation from yellow fever affected countries must provide a certificate proving they have undergone disinfection following WHO (world health organization) guidelines. As per the international health regulations 2005, all incoming vessels must present a valid ship sanitation certificate to the appropriate authority. Ships from yellow fever high risk areas may require inspection or disinfection for yellow fever carriers before receiving free pratique, which allows entry into a port and cargo uploading.

Meningococcal Meningitis

Those over 2 years old traveling for Umrah, or seasonal work in hajj zones need to have a valid vaccination certificate showing they have received a quadrivalent (ACWY) Meningococcal vaccine no later than 10 days prior to their arrival in hajj and Umrah areas.

It is also advisable to get vaccinated for individual defense against meningococcal disease caused by types A, C, W, and Y. you can receive vaccination with any one of these vaccines.

In the last three years, a new quadrivalent polysaccharide vaccine against ACWY has been brought in, after not being available in various countries for over three years.

Quadrivalent (ACWY) conjugate vaccine given within the last five years.

The certificate will be deemed valid for three years if the vaccination type is not specified.

Interior pilgrims and the workers, vaccination with quadrivalent (ACYW135) vaccine is mandatory for:

•  All individuals living in Madinah and Makkah who have not received a vaccine in the last 3 years.
• Every individual who is a citizen or resident participating in the umrah pilgrimage.
• All the staff who have not received the vaccine within the last 3 years.
• Any person on duty at entryways interacts with pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.

Seasonal influenza

The Saudi Arabia of Health suggests that International pilgrims should get vaccinated for seasonal influenza prior to coming to Saudi Arabia ,especially those who are more vulnerable to severe influenza complications like pregnant women, children under 5, elderly individuals and those with underlying health issues such as HIV/ AIDS and chronic heart or lung diseases. In Saudi Arabia, it is advised that internal pilgrims, especially those at risk as mentioned earlier, and all healthcare workers at the umrah facilities receive the seasonal influenza vaccine.

Poliomyelitis

All individuals coming from countries where polio is prevalent and where transmission has been re-established such as Afghanistan, Chad, Nigeria, and Pakistan, should be given one dose of OPV (oral polio vaccine), regardless of their age or vaccination history. visitors from countries where ongoing polio transmission must show proof of polio vaccination 6 weeks before traveling to Saudi Arabia. They will also receive an OPV dose upon arrival at border points. The same conditions also apply to travelers for high-risk, recently endemic countries like India, where there is a high chance of poliovirus reintroduction.

Any individuals younger than 15 years old who are visiting Saudi Arabia from countries where polio has been reported in the past year should get vaccinated against polio using the OPV. Evidence of either OPV or IPV immunization must be provided 6 weeks before applying for an entry visa. Regardless of their vaccination record, all visitors under the age of 15 coming to Saudi Arabia will be given one dose of OPV at border crossings.

During the last year, cases of polio linked to wild poliovirus importation or circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus have been reported in Chad, Kenya, Niger, Somalia, and Yemen.

Zika virus diseases

The Aedes aegypti mosquito can be located in specific countries, particularly in Central and South Americas. Because the Zika virus can be transmitted by mosquitoes, aircrafts, ships, and other modes of transportation originating from Zika- affected countries must present certificates confirming their compliance with WHO’s prescribed disinfection protocols in accordance with the international health regulations 2005. The roster of these nations is continually reviewed as epidemic situations evolve and Zika virus cases emerge in other countries.

Travelers are also encouraged to maintain other vaccinations like Hepatitis A and B, Tetanus, and Typhoid. Although not mandatory for Umrah, these items are beneficial for personal safety, especially during international travel.

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