The Kingdom has directed Saudi overseas missions to strictly adhere to Ministry of Health requirements when issuing Umrah and Hajj visas.
All applicants for Hajj and Umrah visas must produce vaccination certifications for meningitis. Applicants from countries in which certain diseases are endemic, such as yellow fever and polio, must also provide vaccination certification for those diseases.
Polio vaccination is a requirement for children under 15 from African countries, Yemen, Nepal, India and Pakistan. Yellow fever is identified with Nigeria, Kenya, Congo, Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia.
The ministry has also advised prospective pilgrims to get influenza shots, as the flu can be fatal for pilgrims who suffer from chronic illnesses such as diabetes and cardiac, renal and wheezing problems.