KUWAIT CITY, May 22: The Ministry of Health has announced the provision of vaccination services and the issuance of health certificates for pilgrims in the preventive health departments in primary healthcare centers (clinics). In a press statement, the ministry explained this step is aimed at ensuring the safety of pilgrims following the recommendations of health authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; stressing that it is preferable to get vaccinated at least 10 days before the travel date. The ministry enumerated the required and recommended vaccinations (vaccinations required before Hajj) as follows: meningitis vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination for those over 65 years old, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases such as heart, respiratory, kidney and nervous system diseases, as well as those with hereditary blood diseases like sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, and those with weak immunity.

The requirements include presenting the proof of immunization (immunity against COVID-19), which entails taking at least one of the following steps: one dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccines for the 2024/2025 season, completion of the basic doses (two or more doses during the years 2021 to 2023), and recovery from a laboratory- confirmed COVID infection during the year 2024.

The ministry recommended several vaccinations, like seasonal influenza and bacterial pneumonia, as well as the vaccination of contacts. It is also preferable to vaccinate family members of pilgrims who have been in contact with pilgrims who were not previously vaccinated or whose last vaccination has been more than five years ago, with one dose of meningitis vaccine; in addition to updating basic immunizations like diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, measles, chickenpox and mumps.