Hajj and Umrah Vaccinations 2023

Hajj Umrah Vaccinations 2023

The Saudi Ministry of Health established vaccine requirements for pilgrims to obtain an Entry Visa for Hajj 2023 (June 26, 2023, to July 1, 2023) and to perform Umrah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Health regulations and vaccination requirements were updated in June 2023. Hajj vaccination FAQs include the following vaccines:

COVID-19: As of August 2023, the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia recognizes the World Health Organization's Listed COVID-19 vaccines, such as those listed on this page.

Yellow Fever: Following the International Health Regulations 2005, all travelers arriving from countries or areas at risk of yellow fever must present a valid yellow fever International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) showing that the person was vaccinated at least ten days and ten years before arrival border with either FY-Vax or Stamaril vaccine. In case of the absence of such a certificate, the individual will be placed under strict surveillance. This is because these countries/areas are at risk of yellow fever transmission.

Neisseria Meningitides: Adults and children of (9) months or older arriving for Umrah, Hajj, or seasonal work must submit a vaccination certificate against meningitis that they have received the (ACYW135) vaccine issued no more than three years and no less than ten days before arrival in Saudi Arabia.

Polio:  All visitors from polio-endemic countries and re-established transmission countries should receive one oral polio vaccine (OPV) dose, regardless of age and vaccination status. Proof of vaccination at least six weeks before departure is required for visitors from polio-endemic and re-established transmission countries to apply for an entry visa for Saudi Arabia, and travelers will also receive one dose of OPV at border points on arrival in Saudi Arabia. In addition, irrespective of previous immunization history, all visitors under 15 years arriving in Saudi Arabia will receive one dose of OPV at border points.

Influenza:  The Saudi Ministry of Health recommends influenza vaccination for pilgrims against seasonal flu before arrival in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1444H (starting from October 2, 2022 /  Rabi` al-Awwal  6th, 1444H), particularly those at increased risk of severe influenza diseases, including pregnant women, children under five years, the elderly, and individuals with underlying health conditions.

General Precautions: Updating immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases in all pilgrims is recommended. These usually include diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, and those needed for a specific travel, such as dengue. Pilgrims planning further travel before or after Hajj or Umrah to malaria-risk areas in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, should seek advice about malaria prevention. Since the beginning of 2023, and as of July 4, 2023, no Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) cases have been reported with onset in 2023.

Additionally, the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia has issued recommendations on personal and food hygiene, urging the avoidance of contact with sick people, avoiding visits and contact with camels in farms, markets, or barns, and avoiding drinking unpasteurized milk or eating raw meat or animal products that have not been thoroughly cooked, as well as applying measures to prevent insect bites during the day and night.

Vaccinations for Pilgrim's Within the Kingdom

Primary healthcare centers located in the Kingdom offer Hajj vaccinations​ in 2023.​​​

Hajj and Umrah Travel Apps

The Central Reserve Engine (Maqam) is a digital platform offering pilgrims services integrating with housing, transportation, and ground services providers. Nusuk Hajj is the official platform for booking and managing your spiritual Hajj journey in 2023 from Europe countries, South / North America, and Australia.

In alignment with the Saudi Vision 2030 and in pursuit of achieving it through the Doyof Al Rahman National Program (70 government and private agencies), the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced on January 22, 2023, a special Comprehensive Insurance Coverage for pilgrims coming from outside the KSA. 

Hajj and Umrah Visa

The Kingdom welcomes all Muslims from all countries of the world. Each applicant for a Hajj visa must apply through a licensed travel agency, which must present the Consulate with copies of "Accommodation Contacts" and a letter from the Ministry of Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

Travel to Saudia Arabia 2023

The U.S. Department of State confirms those wishing to travel to Saudi Arabia to visit Medina, Hajj, or perform Umrah should review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. If you travel to Saudi Arabia, ensure you are fully vaccinated before travel, says the CDC. And recently, the ECDC reported on June 16, 2023, that returning travelers from the Hajj should seek medical attention immediately if they experience symptoms suggestive of any infection.

Hajj Vaccination News 2023

June 18, 2023 - The Crescent for the month of Dhul Hijjah 1444 was sighted. The Day of Hajj will be on June 27, and Eid Al Adha on June 28, 2023.

June 13, 2023 - The SPA report that Najran Health Directorate continues to provide preventive treatment, medical treatment, and ambulance services to pilgrims from Yemen through the health control center at the Al-Wadiah border crossing in Sharurah Governorate.

June 1, 2023 - Nasir Yousufi published an article in GAVI - Countries, including India, are rolling out special vaccination drives to keep pilgrims safe from epidemic diseases.

May 31, 2023 - SPA reported the Ministry of Health is ready to provide health services to pilgrims entering the Kingdom through 14 air, land, and sea ports to perform the Hajj rituals this year.

April 17, 2023 - Arab News reported Ministry of Hajj and Umrah officials urged pilgrims only to use official ministry accounts.

April 10, 2023, SPA reported Umrah performers and visitors of the Grand Mosque reached 1,048,600 as of April 9, 2023.

April 4, 2023 - SPA reported the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, represented by the General Administration for the Affairs of the Holy Quran, has distributed more than 30,000 copies of the Holy Quran to Umrah performers and visitors during the first ten days of Ramadan.

March 26, 2023 - Gulf News reported the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah issued new guidelines for pilgrims indicating they should perform it once during the holy month of Ramadan.

February 21, 2023 - Local news reported Bangladeshi religious affairs ministry website says Saudi Arabia has mandated vaccines against meningitis, influenza, and COVID-19 for pilgrims performing Hajj in 2023. And people with comorbidities will not be allowed to perform the annual pilgrimage.