JEDDAH: The Saudi government announced on Thursday that it has suspended the requirement for the meningitis vaccine for Umrah pilgrims. This change allows pilgrims to travel to Saudi Arabia without needing the vaccine, providing relief to many who faced difficulties in obtaining it.
The Saudi Civil Aviation Authority has notified all airlines of this update, ensuring that the new regulations are in effect for all travelers. Previously, the Saudi authorities mandated that Umrah pilgrims receive the meningitis vaccine at least 10 days prior to their travel date.
A shortage of the meningitis vaccine in Punjab had left many pilgrims struggling to meet the vaccination requirement, leading to concerns over their ability to undertake the pilgrimage. The suspension of this rule will ease these challenges and allow pilgrims to proceed with their Umrah journey without additional health-related barriers.
This decision is expected to have a positive impact, especially for those who were unable to secure the vaccine in time, and may encourage more people to perform Umrah in the coming months.
