Essential vaccinations for UAE residents travelling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah

Dubai: UAE residents planning to travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah or to visit cities such as Medina, Jeddah, or Taif must ensure they receive the required vaccinations well in advance. The UAE’s Emirates Health Services (EHS) has emphasised that pilgrims must take the mandatory vaccinations at least 10 days before travel to safeguard their health during the journey.

Meningococcal Vaccine

Since 10 February, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health has made it compulsory for all Umrah pilgrims to receive a meningitis vaccine at least 10 days before their departure. This measure is part of the latest health guidelines for Umrah travellers.

Vaccine Options:

The traveller’s home country health authorities must verify vaccine administration within the validity period and clearly state the vaccine name, type, and date of administration on the vaccination certificate.

Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

Adults and children aged six months and above from all countries must receive the seasonal influenza vaccine. The period since vaccination must not be less than 10 days and must not exceed one year.

Recommended Vaccines

While the following vaccinations are optional, EHS advises pilgrims to take them for additional protection:

Where to get vaccinated

In the UAE, both public health facilities and private hospitals or clinics offer the required vaccinations for Hajj, Umrah, and other travel destinations with mandatory immunisation policies. Travellers are advised to schedule a pre-travel consultation at least one month before departure to allow sufficient time for vaccinations and other preventive measures to take effect.