RIYADH: The Ministry of Health announced yesterday that all local Haj pilgrims are required to take vaccinations against meningitis and advised high-risk patients among them to take flu jabs before leaving for the pilgrimage.
“Pilgrims should take the meningitis shots at least 10 days before leaving for the holy sites since immunity against the disease will be effective only after 10 days from the time of the injection,” said Khalid Al-Mirghalani, general supervisor for the Communications and Health Awareness Campaign at the Ministry of Health. He added that the doses are valid for two years.
The flu vaccine is not mandatory. It is, however, desirable to take it considering the present weather condition and the susceptibility of pilgrims to influenza.
Mirghalani advised high-risk patients who have chronic ailments such as diabetes, hypertension and renal diseases to take the flu vaccine.
Primary health care centers across the Kingdom offer vaccination to intending pilgrims free of charge. It is also available at private clinics at a modest fee of SR20. Mirghalani explained that vaccination against meningitis is mandatory for both local and foreign pilgrims. He said that according to the Ministry of Health statistics, more than 98 percent of foreign pilgrims took their vaccination in their respective home countries last year.
“Health officials at all entry points in the Kingdom administered the vaccines to those who had not taken them,” he said.
Mirghalani pointed out that there is always the possibility of the outbreak of meningitis given the fact that many pilgrims come from areas that are susceptible to the disease. He added that overcrowding helps the disease spread quickly. The vaccine is given only to adults and children of over two years. Pregnant women are not administered the vaccine, he added.
Meningitis spreads through close and direct contact with an infected person as also through saliva or respiratory and throat secretions. “The disease does not spread by casual contact or by simply breathing near an infected person,” Mirghalani said. He, however, advised pilgrims to cover their noses or mouths when they sneeze or cough.
Health Minister Dr. Hamad Al-Manie is to launch a new website, www.moh.gov.sa/haj, for pilgrims today. “It will give all the information about the ministry's services and facilities available for pilgrims,” Mirghalani said.
