Meningitis vaccines mandatory for trips to Saudi Arabia

The vaccine will be required for those travelling for Hajj, Umrah, or on visitor visas

Saudi Arabia has made meningitis vaccinations mandatory for those travelling to the country for Hajj, Umrah, or on visitor visas from Feb 10.

The information was provided in a letter from Group Captain Muhammed Kamrul Islam, executive director of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, on Monday. It has been circulated to all relevant organisations operating at the airport, Hajj agencies, airlines, stakeholders, and the media.

The letter states that according to the decision of the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia, the country's General Authority of Civil Aviation and the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, all Umrah pilgrims and people traveling to Saudi Arabia from Bangladesh on visitor visas must be vaccinated against meningitis. The instructions in this regard are-

• Meningitis vaccinations must be taken at least 10 days before travelling
• Children below one year of age do not need the vaccination
• Those who have taken the vaccine within the last three years do not need to take a new (repeat) dose.
• The restriction will be implemented from Feb 10