(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) has advised Haj pilgrims to take the necessary steps to ensure they are safeguarded against infectious diseases while on the pilgrimage.
According to the SCH, three important vaccines are recommended for those going on Haj this year. The vaccines include meningococcal meningitis, seasonal flu and pneumococcal. The SCH recommends that pilgrims should complete these vaccinations at least 10 days before their departure to Saudi Arabia.
"It is mandatory for all adults and children over two years to receive meningococcal vaccine at least 10 days before travelling to Saudi Arabia. Meningococcal vaccine may be used with caution in pregnancy. However, it is not mandatory for pregnant women going for Haj," said Dr Hamad Eid al-Romaihi, manager of health protection and communicable disease control at SCH.
"Furthermore, all pilgrims should be vaccinated against seasonal flu. Individuals who are at an increased risk of severe influenza diseases, particularly pregnant women, children under five years, the elderly and individuals with underlying health conditions such as human immunodeficiency virus, asthma, chronic heart or lung diseases, are urged to take the annual seasonal flu vaccine this year," he explained.
Dr al-Romaihi added that pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for high risk people aged between two and 64 years with chronic medical conditions like sickle cell anaemia, splenectomy and renal failure; healthy adults aged from 18 - 64 years with unknown or incomplete pneumococcal vaccine series in childhood; and healthy adults aged 50 - 64 years with no pneumococcal vaccine after 18 years. All high risk individuals are also advised to protect themselves by receiving the flu vaccine.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.