What Vaccinations do I need?
This varies from place to place and depends on your previous history and itinerary. However, as a guideline:
India/Asia/Pacific
A meningococcal (ACWY) vaccination is a mandatory visa requirement for those attending Hajj and recommended for those performing Umrah 1,2
Why have the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) created this package?
1. Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK. http://www.abhuk.com/health.htm#health4(accessed September 2013)
2. Ministry of Hajj. http://www.hajinformation.com/main/t20.htm (accessed September 2013)
India/Asia/Pacific
- Typhoid (required every 3 years).
- Hepatitis A (2 required for 25-year protection, ideally 6-12 months apart but can be up to 5 years).
- Tetanus/Diptheria/Polio in general every 10 years (check if you had one at school between 13-18 known as the school leavers jab).
- Rabies (3 doses over a month day 1,7 21-28) transmitted by the bite of mammals, this is dependent on itinerary but is becoming more important as there is a worldwide shortage of the treatment if unvaccinated.
- Japanese encephalitis (2 doses over a month 28 days apart approximately.) this is for rural travel; it is transmitted by mosquitoes with the host being pigs and wading birds.
- Hepatitis B (3 injections over either 3 weeks, 3 months or 6 months) spread through bodily fluids, lifetime infection.
- Typhoid (required every 3 years).
- Hepatitis A (2 required for 25-year protection, ideally 6-12 months apart but can be up to 5 years).
- Tetanus/Diptheria/Polio in general every 10 years (check if you had one at school between 13-18 known as the school leavers jab).
- Rabies (3 doses over a month day 1,7 21-28) transmitted by the bite of mammals, this is dependent on itinerary but is becoming more important as there is a worldwide shortage of the treatment if unvaccinated.
- Yellow fever (required every 10 years, certificate is required for entry to some countries).
- Meningitis ACWY (particularly prevalent across Sub Saharan Africa (lasts for 5 years).
- Hepatitis B (3 injections over either 3 weeks, 3 months or 6 months) spread through bodily fluids, lifetime infection.
- Typhoid (required every 3 years).
- Hepatitis A (2 required for 25-year protection, ideally 6-12 months apart but can be up to 5 years).
- Tetanus/Diptheria/Polio in general every 10 years (check if you had one at school between 13-18 known as the school leavers jab).
- Rabies (3 doses over a month day 1,7 21-28) transmitted by the bite of mammals, this is dependent on itinerary but is becoming more important as there is a worldwide shortage of the treatment if unvaccinated.
- Yellow fever (required every 10 years, certificate is required for entry to some countries).
- Hepatitis B (3 injections over either 3 weeks, 3 months or 6 months) spread through bodily fluids, lifetime infection.
- Typhoid (required every 3 years).
- Hepatitis A (2 required for 25-year protection, ideally 6-12 months apart but can be up to 5 years).
- Tetanus/Diptheria/Polio in general every 10 years (check if you had one at school between 13-18 known as the school leavers jab).
- Rabies (3 doses over a month day 1,7 21-28) transmitted by the bite of mammals, this is dependent on itinerary but is becoming more important as there is a worldwide shortage of the treatment if unvaccinated.
- Yellow fever is only required for Panama when going east of the Panama Canal (required every 10 years, certificate is required for entry to some countries).
- Hepatitis B (3 injections over either 3 weeks, 3 months or 6 months) spread through bodily fluids, lifetime infection.
- Tick-Borne encephalitis - mainly found in the forested areas, parts of China, Russia. Transmitted via consumption of unpasteurised milk products or the bite of a tick. Transmission season April - October (course of two injections two weeks apart with a booster at 5-12 months).
- Hepatitis B (3 injections over either 3 weeks, 3 months or 6 months) spread through bodily fluids, lifetime infection.
A meningococcal (ACWY) vaccination is a mandatory visa requirement for those attending Hajj and recommended for those performing Umrah 1,2
Why have the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) created this package?
- To guide the Muslim community travelling for Hajj and Umrah to Muslim Council of Britain partner meningococcal (ACWY) vaccination clinics convenient to pilgrims
- To reduce the overall cost of this vaccination for pilgrims travelling for Hajj and Umrah
1. Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK. http://www.abhuk.com/health.htm#health4(accessed September 2013)
2. Ministry of Hajj. http://www.hajinformation.com/main/t20.htm (accessed September 2013)