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Vaccination for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims from the UK

Vaccine is compulsory for all Hajj and Umrah pilgrims

  • Meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia occurs in all countries, although it is much more common in certain areas. 
  • Epidemics linked to Hajj
  • Vaccine compulsory for all Hajj and Umrah pilgrims
  • Two vaccines available in the UK

 

Large epidemics of meningococcal disease have been linked to the Hajj pilgrimage, at first due to group A bacteria and then in 2000/2001 to group W1.  Cases of meningococcal disease also occurred world-wide after pilgrims returned to their own countries2.

Because of these epidemics, quadrivalent ACWY 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 and septicaemia caused by four different strains: A, C, W and Y.  Vaccination is also recommended for travel to sub-Saharan Africa and certain other countries, especially if travellers will be living or working with local people or visiting during an outbreak.  An up-to-date list of countries with potential risk can be obtained from www.nathnac.net

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.  The certificate must have been issued at least 10 days before arrival. This also applies to seasonal workers in Hajj areas.
 

A.

There are two ‘conjugate’ ACWY vaccines available in the UK, Menveo® and Nimenrix®.

Polysaccharide ACWY vaccines are available in some countries outside of the UK, but protection from these vaccines do not last as long as protection from conjugate vaccines.

It is important to make sure that the name of the vaccine given is clearly recorded on the 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.

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) can offer more information about vaccination and pilgrimage to Hajj. Visit them at http://www.mcb.org.uk/health-and-travel-advice-for-hajj-pilgrims/.

A.

Conjugate vaccines are made by linking part of the bacteria’s sugar coat to a protein. This allows the immune system to recognise and attack bacteria with the same sugar coat when they enter the body.

Conjugate vaccines are effective in babies as young as 2 months of age and trigger a long-lasting immune response.
 
 
 

A.

The ingredients of both the newer conjugate vaccines have been in use for many years. Both Menveo® and Nimenrix® have been used as travel vaccines for several years are now routinely used in the UK as teenage immunisations.

Both vaccines have an excellent safety profile, 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health. Health Requirements for Travellers to Saudi Arabia for Pilgrimage to Makkah (2016/1437H Hajj) Available from: http://www.moh.gov.sa/en/Hajj/Pages/HealthRegulations.aspx.
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%.

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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
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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.

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