MUSCAT: Citizens and residents planning to perform Umrah rituals must take the quadrivalent meningitis vaccine, the Ministry of Health said. They must take it at least 10 days before travelling to Saudi Arabia. A valid vaccination certificate, issued through the ministry’s Tarassud system, must be presented.
The certificate remains valid for five years. Vaccinations are available at primary healthcare institutions across Oman for citizens and at private health centres designated by the Ministry for expatriates. The ministry further recommends receiving a dose of the annual seasonal influenza vaccine to enhance protection during the pilgrimage. The move follows Saudi Arabia's decision to introduce stricter health protocols for Umrah pilgrims, requiring mandatory vaccinations to ensure public health and safety for millions of worshippers.
The Saudi Civil Aviation Authority notified that pilgrims must be vaccinated against meningococcal meningitis, polio, yellow fever, COVID-19 and seasonal influenza. The regulations also stipulate that all international visitors must receive the meningitis vaccine, while those travelling from polio-affected regions, such as Pakistan, Nigeria and Afghanistan, must also receive the polio vaccine. In addition, pilgrims arriving from Angola, Nigeria, Brazil and Congo will need yellow fever vaccinations.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
