Indonesia mandates meningitis vaccination for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims

INDONESIA—The Health Ministry has issued circular number HK.02.02/A/3717/2024, which states that meningitis vaccination is now required for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims intending to pray in Saudi Arabia.

According to Antara Indonesian News Agency, the ministry’s Secretary General, Kunta Wibawa Dasa Nugraha, signed the letter to modify the status of meningitis immunisation from “recommended” to “mandatory.”

This obligation is enforced on national health units responsible for administering immunizations to those ready to go abroad.

In a statement, the ministry’s director of surveillance and health quarantine, Achmad Farchanny Tri Adryanto, stated that the Health Ministry circular is a follow-up to a Circular Letter on Mandatory Vaccination for Travellers issued by the Saudi Health Ministry.

Adryanto, citing a diplomatic statement from that country’s embassy, reported that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has amended the health standards for pilgrims through the “Umrah Health Requirements and Recommendations for Travellers to Saudi Arabia for Umrah—1445 H (2024).”

He stated that the document highlights Saudi Arabia’s procedures for monitoring its entryways to prevent infections such as meningitis.

Moreover, the document elaborates on preventive measures aimed at persons in countries frequently afflicted by the meningitis epidemic, countries at risk of the disease’s outbreak, and nations with a Neisseria epidemic but not receiving meningitis vaccination.

He said that meningitis meningococcus is caused by Neisseria meningitidis bacterium.

He also stated that, according to WHO’s 2015 International Travel and Health Report, African countries are frequently affected by and in danger from the epidemic.

In addition, Adryanto indicated that Saudi Arabia’s Transportation Ministry will severely enforce obligatory vaccinations beginning in July 2024.

He stated that Umrah pilgrims seeking entry will be tested for vaccination status. As a result, he expected pilgrims to get vaccinated and complete the necessary health papers right away.

The new health requirement emphasizes the need for immunization to prevent meningitis among pilgrims.

It also complements Saudi Arabia’s continuing efforts to protect public health safety during the pilgrimage season.

Both Indonesian and Saudi health authorities hope that by making vaccination mandatory, they can prevent pilgrims from potential health hazards, resulting in a safer and healthier pilgrimage experience for everyone.

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