Health advice for Hajj pilgrims
The Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, has reminded those travellers to the annual Hajj Muslim Pilgrimage to Mecca to get their quadrivalent meningitis jab before they leave if they haven't already done so. The Hajj takes place between 8th and 12th January 2006.
Travellers to Mecca risk contracting a particular strain of meningococcal disease known as W135 if they are not properly immunised.
Sir Liam said:
"Meningococcal infection is not only a serious threat to those travelling to the Hajj but also to their friends and family when they return. The number of cases from Hajj related meningitis W135 has dropped sharply and there have been no deaths in the last four years thanks to our awareness raising campaign backed up with making vaccination a requirement for travel, both carried out in conjunction with the Muslim community".
Entry requirement
The Saudi Arabian Embassy now insists that all travellers to the Hajj book their visit through approved tour operators. Proof of immunisation with the quadrivalent A, C, W135, Y vaccine is a visa requirement for Saudi Arabia.
Vaccination
The vaccine is available through GP surgeries and specialist travel health centres.
Related Links
- Advice from the Department of Health
Information for people travelling on the annual Hajj.
- Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust
Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust is responsible for GPs, NHS Dentists, Opticians, Pharmacists and Community medical services.