Under the new regulations, all international visitors must receive the meningitis vaccine, while travelers from polio-affected countries, including Pakistan, Nigeria, and Afghanistan, must also get the polio vaccine. Pilgrims arriving from Angola, Nigeria, Brazil, and Congo will be required to have yellow fever vaccinations. COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), are now mandatory. Additionally, pilgrims are advised to complete vaccinations for tetanus, measles, and other diseases. The Civil Aviation Authority has emphasized that pilgrims must carry health-related documents, including vaccination certificates, and those with chronic health conditions should bring medical records and sufficient medication in its original packaging.
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To prevent mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika virus and dengue, pilgrims are encouraged to take protective measures like wearing suitable clothing and using insect repellents containing DEET, IR3535, or Icaridin.
These health protocols reflect Saudi Arabia’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of visitors to Makkah and Madinah for Umrah. In a separate development, on Monday, Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, and Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, signed the annual Hajj agreement for 2025.
Under this agreement, 179,210 Pakistani pilgrims will perform Hajj this year. The agreement includes provisions for better facilities, such as unique accommodation in Mina at reduced rates. Pilgrims will also have the option to stay in Madinah for 4 to 8 days. The Saudi minister assured Pakistan of full support to enhance services for its pilgrims. Each pilgrim will receive a specially designed bag containing a Pakistani flag, a QR code for identification, and essential information. A special mobile app will also be introduced to provide pilgrims with easy access to important information on their smartphones.
