Umrah pilgrimage gathers people worldwide, creating crowded conditions at holy sites. While spiritually enriching, this increases the risk of illness spreading. To ensure safety, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health mandates certain vaccinations for travelers from all countries including India. These vaccinations not only protect you but also safeguard fellow pilgrims.
To safeguard public health, Saudi Arabia mandates the following vaccination for all Umrah travellers:
Recommendation:
Individuals wishing to perform Umrah or visit the Kingdom, regardless of their visa type, must
receive the Quadrivalent Neisseria meningitis vaccine, also known as Meningococcal Meningitis
ACYW vaccine
Age group:
Adults and children above 1 year of age are required to take the vaccination and carry a valid international vaccination certificate
Approved Vaccines:
Vaccine deadline:
Administered not less than 10 days prior to the planned arrival to Saudi Arabia
Visas concerned:
Applicable to all types of visas: Pilgrimage, tourism, business, Short visit, etc.
Guideline effective from:
1st February 2025
Airlines are required to take all necessary precautions at the point of embarkation to ensure passengers have the required documentation for both transit and destination countries.
As per the issued notice, non-compliance with the circulars will be considered a violation of the government’s orders, and violators will face legal consequences.
Meningococcal disease is caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, which can lead to severe conditions such as meningitis (an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord) and septicemia (blood poisoning). These conditions can progress rapidly and become life-threatening.
This policy by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is grounded in historical data and epidemiological evidence highlighting the risks associated with such events.
The Hajj & Umrah pilgrimage, attracting over ten million participants annually, has been linked to several meningococcal disease outbreaks. The first reported international outbreak occurred in 1987, caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A. Subsequent outbreaks in 2000 and 2001 involved a total of 654 cases, with 249 (38.1%) occurring in external pilgrims (Individuals traveling from outside Saudi Arabia). The case fatality ratio was notably higher among these external pilgrims.
In 2024, twelve meningococcal disease cases associated with Umrah travel were identified across the external pilgrims. Nine patients were unvaccinated, and the vaccination status of three was unknown. Mass gatherings like the Umrah can facilitate the rapid spread of various infectious diseases, including meningococcal disease. Implementing vaccination requirement by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a proactive measure to protect both attendees and global populations, as returning pilgrims may carry infections to their home countries.
An international vaccination certificate should generally provide the following information:
This standardized information ensures that the certificate is universally recognized and accepted as proof of immunization across borders for hassle-free travel.
INVC offers reliable vaccination service with international vaccination certificate at its network of 150+ centres across 30 cities in India.
You can schedule an appointment at your nearest INVC Vaccination centre or choose to get vaccinated at home.
You can schedule an appointment at home with the INVC Vaccination team to receive the vaccine at home at your convenience. Our home service is available at 2000+ pin codes across India.
INVC offers customised packages for group vaccinations. To book vaccination packages for groups or for bulk requirements, please reach out to INVC corporate team at corporate@invc.co.in
The cost of Meningococcal vaccination depends on factors such as the type of vaccine, brand, manufacturer, applicable taxes and the vaccination service provider. On an average, the cost of Meningococcal vaccination ranges between INR 4000 to INR 6000 per dose. It's best to check with the vaccine expert to get an accurate and updated estimate of the cost.
These guidelines are more than regulations—they are essential measures to safeguard your health and that of others.
Ensure a stress-free journey by getting your vaccinations before time. INVC – Apna Family Vaccination Centre offers convenient and affordable home vaccination service.
We offer:
Book your appointment today and embark on your Umrah journey with confidence.
There are two types of meningococcal vaccines available targeting ACWY serogroups of
Neisseria meningitidis. These include:
Quadrivalent Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (QMCV):
The Quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine attaches a piece of protein to the bacterial
sugar, which helps your immune system build a stronger and longer-lasting defense. The validity
of conjugate vaccines stated by MOH Saudi Arabia is 5 years. The conjugate vaccine not only
offers better protection but also helps reduce the spread of the bacteria in the community.
Global data on immunogenicity and safety of meningococcal conjugate vaccines is more robust
and hence these have been widely adopted as part of many national immunization programs.
Additionally, meningococcal conjugate vaccines are licensed for use for a broad age range
between 9 months to 85 years of age.
Quadrivalent Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (QMCV):
The Quadrivalent meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine only uses the sugar part, so it generally
produces a weaker and shorter-lived response. The validity of conjugate vaccines stated by MOH
Saudi Arabia is 3 years. The polysaccharide vaccine may require booster shots more frequently
to maintain protection.
Global data available with meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine is limited and hence, while still
in use, these are now primarily reserved for specific situations such as outbreak control as they
offer a quicker but shorter-lived response.
Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccines are licensed for use in India between 2 years to 55 years
of age.
Quadrivalent Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (QMCV):
· Menveo: Conjugate vaccine by multinational company GlaxoSmithKline with robust immunogenicity and safety data. Manufactured in Italy, Menveo has widespread global presence and is marketed in India for last 5+ years.
· Menactra: Conjugate vaccine by multinational company Sanofi with robust immunogenicity and safety data. Manufactured in US, Menactra has widespread global presence and is marketed in India for last 8+ years. Menactra was in fact the first launched QMCV in India.
Menfive: Conjugate vaccine by Indian Vaccine manufacturer Serum Institute of India, with robust immunogenicity and safety data. Manufactured in Pune (India), Menfive is globally available and is now commercially available in India as well.
Yes, aside from the mandatory meningococcal vaccine, travelers from India heading for Umrah are advised to update several other immunizations. For instance, the influenza vaccine is recommended to protect against seasonal flu, especially given the crowded conditions during the pilgrimage.
Key risk groups for Influenza vaccination: Individuals at increased risk of severe influenza disease, include pregnant women, children under 5 years, the elderly, and individuals with underlying health conditions such as HIV/AIDS, asthma, and chronic heart or lung diseases as well as all health-care workers working in the pilgrimage premises.
Additionally, the hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines are advised since these infections can be contracted through contaminated food or water, which may be a concern during travel. It’s also important to ensure routine immunizations—such as those for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and polio—are up-to-date.
It is recommended that you receive the vaccine at least 10 days prior to your departure to ensure adequate immunity and to meet travel documentation requirements.
Most individuals experience only mild side effects such as soreness at the injection site, slight fever, or mild headache, which typically resolve within a few days.
For the latest updates and detailed guidelines, refer to trusted sources like the Saudi Ministry of Health and the CDC Travelers’ Health website. Additionally, INVC Vaccine Experts can offer guidelines-based personalized advice and vaccination services based on your requirements.
INVC is an NHA certified vaccination company helping to make your meningococcal meningitis vaccination easy and reliable.
Getting vaccinated with INVC is quick and easy. Here is the step-wise guide to help you with the process:
· Register your appointment
Visit www.invc.co.in or WhatsApp your request to 8821-8821-27. Alternatively, you can place an order directly
· Availability & Pricing
Our customer support team will check the vaccine availability, share pricing details, and provide you with a suitable vaccination date via WhatsApp or phone call
· Secure Your Appointment
Love the details? Great! To confirm your slot, simply make the part-payment (The balance amount can be paid at the time of vaccination.) An operations manager will be assigned to assist you throughout the vaccination process.
· Get vaccinated
Choose to receive your vaccination at our center or opt for a home visit. After your vaccination and once the balance payment is cleared, our operations manager will provide you with a digital vaccination certificate that’s valid for travel.
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