Umrah brings together many Muslims of different nationalities in the same Holy land, Saudi Arabia. Considering this fact, KSA has made sure that no safety and health breach be practiced, ever since they pose themselves as the guardians for the pilgrims and hence the health of them is their foremost priority. Any viral infection in this dense crowd of people could be fatal and can cause huge widespread disease which could become a very serious situation for the pilgrims as well as the residents of Saudi Arabia resulting in illness and even deaths in its worst state. In that situation, providing a cure to millions of Muslims who have come to perform Umrah could be a really difficult and challenging task for the state. There would be a state of restlessness all around. To avoid any such situation, they have set certain guidelines regarding the vaccination and health of pilgrims that each person must undergo before travelling to Saudi Arabia. Tour groups bringing pilgrims from different countries must make sure that each person is properly vaccinated as per the requirement set by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Muslims travelling on Umrah Packages from the UK or any other country should get vaccinated on time and check for any other requirements set for Umrah. Umrah 2023 vaccination requirements
• COVID-19 Vaccine
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced that every Muslim who wishes to perform Umrah this year should receive a full Covid-19 vaccination. They have also enlisted the approved Covid-19 vaccines the doses of which every pilgrim should receive to enter Saudi Arabia.
Pfizer/BioNTech. 2 doses
Oxford/AstraZeneca: 2 doses
Janssen. 2 doses
Moderna. 2 doses
Sinopharm. 2 doses
Sinovac. 2 doses
Covaxin. 2 doses
Sputnik V. 2 doses
Nuvaxovid. 2 doses
Covovax. 2 doses
It is also stated by the ministry that for those wishing to perform Umrah this year, they don't need to have a negative COVID-19 test to enter Saudi Arabia
• YELLOW FEVER
All pilgrims travelling from a region where the risk of Yellow fever is likely to be present should have a valid Yellow fever vaccination certificate which has proved that the concerned person got his vaccination at least ten days and ten years before he arrived at the border. If the traveller doesn’t come up with the required certificate, the individual would be kept under strict observation for a period of 6 days starting from the date he got vaccinated or the last possible date of becoming infected whichever is the sooner. Not every country is exposed to this disease so they have shortlisted the countries that are possibly affected by Yellow fever. Mainly African countries along with Central and South American countries are at risk of Yellow fever.
• MENINGOCOCCAL MENINGITIS
All pilgrims intending to perform Umrah must present an authentic certificate of vaccination with a quadrivalent (ACYW) meningococcal vaccine received at least ten days before their planned arrival in the Holy Land where they will perform Umrah.
Out of these two vaccines, the dose of any one vaccine is acceptable
Quadrivalent (ACYW) polysaccharide vaccine within the last 3 years.
Quadrivalent (ACYW) conjugate vaccine within the last 5 years.
• POLIO
In all countries affected by polio at present or even in the past, their residents who are planning to perform Umrah this year should receive a single dose of the oral polio vaccine, regardless of their age. The status of Polio vaccination will have to be provided by the pilgrims from such countries that have been affected by polio to apply for the entrance Visa to Saudi Arabia. In addition, all passengers will also receive a dose of OPV at the border area upon their arrival in Saudi Arabia. A list of polio-endemic countries has also been provided by the Saudi government.
• FLU SHOT
To avoid any risk of spreading influenza disease, Pilgrims reaching Saudi Arabia from different countries should get the seasonal influenza vaccine as per the Saudi Government's recommendation, especially those people which are at higher risk of getting this disease such as pregnant women young under age of five, individuals having serious health problems.