Saudi Arabia mandates meningitis vaccine from February 2025
From February 1, 2025, Saudi Arabia will require all travelers, including pilgrims on Umrah or Hajj, to present a certificate proving vaccination against meningitis (ACYW135) at least 10 days prior to arrival. The rule applies across holy sites and Umrah zones.
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Update: 17 January 2025, 11:00 GMT From 1 February 2025, Saudi Arabia will impose a new health rule for all travelers entering the country, including pilgrims performing Umrah or Hajj. The measure requires every adult and child aged one year and over to present a meningitis vaccination certificate upon arrival. |
The required vaccine is the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine (ACYW135), which must be administered at least 10 days before travel to Saudi Arabia. This decision aims to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, particularly during major religious gatherings where transmission risks are high.
The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia has issued an important circular to all airlines operating in the Kingdom, including private aviation.
Does this apply to all travelers?
This new requirement primarily targets Hajj or Umrah pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. The key change from the previous situation is that other visit purposes are also included ("regardless of visa type") provided travelers are in a holy site or Umrah zone.
In other words, a visitor traveling to Mecca for a short visit must comply with this requirement.
The list of Umrah zones is as follows:
Mecca
Medina
Jeddah
Taif
According to this update, travelers visiting Riyadh only may avoid the vaccine requirement, but this remains subject to the airline’s discretion regarding boarding.
Travel agencies and health authorities in affected countries must quickly adapt to inform and prepare travelers. If you plan to travel to Saudi Arabia from 1 February 2025, it is therefore necessary to look into meningococcal vaccination.
Recommendations
Consult your general practitioner before traveling.
Verify vaccine availability in your country.
Obtain the required international vaccination certificate.
Schedule your vaccination at least 10 days before departure.
This measure highlights the importance of health preparation for international travel, especially for pilgrimages that attract millions of people each year.
You may also read our article https://www.visasaudi.sa.com/article/vaccin-obligatoire-voyager-arabie-saoudite/ on recommended vaccines for travel to Saudi Arabia.
Specific measures for travelers from certain countries
Meningitis belt countries: Travelers coming from high-risk African countries will receive additional preventive treatment upon arrival.
Polio vaccination: Nationals of certain countries (Pakistan, Syria, Yemen) must present an oral polio vaccination certificate, administered six weeks before travel. An additional dose will be given on arrival.
You can check the full list of mandatory and recommended vaccines on the Saudi Ministry of Health website: https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/.
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