Umrah is a sacred prayer that every Muslim has a keen desire to perform at least once in his life. To get the most out of this holy journey, one should ensure that he is safe and in the best of his health. One way is to get proper vaccination to combat the deadly infections. In fact, the Saudi government has now made it mandatory for the pilgrims of the UK to have vaccines before they travel to Umrah.
The goal is to maintain a healthy climate so that everyone can perform their prayer without getting sick. Various travel agents offer deals such as all-inclusive Ramadan Umrah packages that let the travellers have their vaccine before going for Umrah. This guide will take you through the process of getting vaccinated in the UK. Let’s have a look.
Do You Need a Vaccine to Perform Umrah?
Yes, certain vaccines are mandatory to perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia in 2025. The role of these booster shots is that they mitigate the risk of infectious diseases. Further, they also act as a guard to shield you from the unexpected health hazards of the transfer of germs from nearby pilgrims. Further, develop your immunity and prepare it to fight against potential diseases.
Which Vaccines Are Required for Saudi Arabia?
The following are the required vaccines for Umrah travel:
Meningococcal Vaccine
This vaccine is delivered to protect from meningitis. The rule is that you must have a certificate of vaccination, which is issued during the last 3 years and 10 days before your trip. Hence, all the visitors are required to submit a certificate of ACYW135 before their travel. Adults and children over the age of 1 year will get this shot, containing one dose of the quadrivalent polysaccharide.
COVID-19
Since this pandemic has taken the world by storm, the government has made it mandatory for pilgrims to produce the certificate of this vaccine on their arrival. You can get a booster dose from any of your nearby health centres and get a copy of the document.
Recommended Vaccines for Additional Protection
Apart from the above-given names of the vaccines above, the government has also suggested some other shots. These ensure safety as well as offer more security to the traveller so that they can have their experience to the best of their health. The names of these shots are as follows:
Seasonal Influenza
The Saudi Ministry of Health recommends that travellers from all over the country should vaccinate themselves against influenza diseases before they enter the Kingdom. People with underlying conditions such as heart disease, HIV/AIDS, asthma, the elderly, children under 5, and pregnant women should particularly receive this vaccine.
Hepatitis A and B Vaccine
The doses for hepatitis A and B are advised for those travellers who are prone to lung diseases. Although Saudi Arabia has a low prevalence of this disease, this shot prevents global travellers from getting infections from other people who could possibly be at risk.
Other Vaccines
The following is a list of some other vaccines that you should consider before travelling, especially for those who are at risk:
- Cholera
- Encephalitis
- Polio
- Typhoid fever
- Yellow fever
- Rabies
- Routine vaccine updates (Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, Human papillomavirus, Measles, mumps and rubella, Pneumococcal, Rotavirus, Tuberculosis, Varicella)
How to Get Vaccinated?
The vaccination process is quite simple for the people of the UK. The best way is to search online by using queries such as “vaccination for Umrah near me.” Further, you can contact your travel agency and enquire whether your all-inclusive Ramadan Umrah packages include vaccination or not.
Alternatively, you can follow these steps to have an understanding of how to get a vaccine:
Consult with Your GP: Talk to your doctor and share your medical history as well as travel plans. Apart from mandatory vaccines, ask about the additional vaccines that you should get based on your medical plan.
Find a vaccination clinic: Next, find a nearby clinic that offers vaccines. Get a detailed prescription from your GP and contact the clinic. Learn whether they offer suitable vaccines or not. If they are positive, make an appointment as soon as possible.
Receive the vaccine: On your check-up date, visit the clinic and get your vaccine. Mind that every vaccine has specific rules of administration – adhere to them for a smooth experience. The number of doses and timings of the shot may vary and will depend on the specific type you are receiving.
Obtain a certification: Once you have completed all the prescribed doses and the period, get the certificate from the clinic. Ensure that it has the signature of the doctor or the prescribed person. This document will be highly needed when you apply for Umrah travel.
Stay updated on the advisory: Keep in check with your travel agent to learn about new vaccine regulations. Further, check the official sites of the Saudi Ministry of Health and other official resources to find out if there have been any changes in the vaccination laws.
Benefits of Getting Vaccinated for Umrah
The following are the perks of getting vaccinated before Umrah:
- It shields you from various preventable diseases such as COVID-19, meningitis, and others. This ensures that you stay healthy during your religious journey.
- Further, getting a vaccine also protects others, as they won’t be getting any infection from a person who is at risk or having a specific spreadable disease.
- Having a shot ensures that you are complying with the specific rules set by the Health Ministry of Saudi Arabia. This prevents any potential delays at the border or airport.
- A healthy pilgrim would be able to focus on his prayer in a better way and will have an immersive experience. Likewise, it will also give you peace of mind during your journey.
If you are looking to travel to Umrah, it is crucial to have desired vaccines. For this, you can avail of all-inclusive Ramadan Umrah packages from Muslims Holy Travel. We ensure a smooth experience that includes vaccination as well as all the other paperwork. Order now to get competitive packages.
