ACWY Vaccine for Hajj/Umrah
Strains of meningitis differ globally, with different countries being troubled by different types of the disease. It is important for travellers to be aware of this in case they need to be vaccinated against certain strains before they travel.
All pilgrims going to Hajj or Umrah are now required by the Government of Saudi Arabia to have a valid certificate of vaccination against meningococcal meningitis ACWY. This vaccine should have been received not more than 3 years and not less than 10 days before arrival in Saudi Arabia, and should be recorded in a vaccination book showing the traveller's full name. Vaccination is also a requirement for obtaining a visa. If you were vaccinated more than 3 years ago, you will need to get re-vaccinated otherwise your visa application will be turned down and you will be refused entry.
You need to make sure your doctor gives you the ‘quadrivalent' meningococcal vaccine (ACWY Vac) which protects against four different strains of meningitis: A, C, W135 and Y. If you are planning to take children under the age of two years to Hajj or Umrah you will need to get them vaccinated with two doses of ACWY vaccine, ideally three months apart. The meningitis vaccine your child(ren) will have had as part of their routine vaccinations (called Men C) will not give them the protection they need.
Pilgrims are strongly advised to book an appointment with their GP three or more weeks before travel to allow time for the practice to order the ACWY vaccine, and to allow sufficient time for it to become fully effective. And if you are planning to take children under the age of two years, you should book about four months in advance.
The Department of Health has further advice on meningitis for travellers to Hajj and Umrah.
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