Every year, millions of Muslims worldwide visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to start the sacred journey to Umrah and Hajj. These pilgrimages in the holy city of Mecca are significant in the Islamic calendar, drawing vast crowds in close quarters. However, this immense gathering poses a heightened risk of infectious diseases, including meningitis.
In May 2024, 12 cases of meningococcal disease were reported from travellers who had performed Umrah while in KSA. Most of these infected cases had not been vaccinated against the Meningitis ACWY vaccine1.
In this article, we will look into the necessity of meningitis vaccination for pilgrims.
Meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Although it affects everyone, it is most common in babies, young children, teenagers, and young adults 2.
If not treated quickly, meningitis can be very serious, causing life-threatening sepsis resulting in permanent damage to the brain.
There are several different meningitis, which are all described here.
The type of meningitis that is of concern in Pilgrims is Meningococcus, with four strains, Types A, C, W, and Y, being the most prevalent. In this article, we concentrate on these four strains of Meningococcal Disease.
The four strains of Meningococcal Disease that can affect pilgrims are spread through droplets. People can carry the bacteria on their noses and not have any symptoms of the disease. When a person carrying the disease coughs or sneezes, another susceptible person can contract meningitis.
Being in crowded places is a high-risk activity for contracting meningitis. The bacteria love crowds, as the close proximity of the people in the crowd means there is less space between people for the bacteria to pass through.
Meningococcal disease is endemic in the sub-Saharan region of Africa, meaning it is present in the countries in this region. Some people are carriers of the bacteria without showing signs of the disease.
Many visitors from the sub-Saharan region visit the Hajj and Umrah unknowingly, spreading the bacteria to other pilgrims. Large epidemics of meningococcal disease have been linked to the Hajj pilgrimage in the past, at first due to group A bacteria and then, in 2000/2001, to group W meningococcal bacteria when pilgrims returned to their own countries 3.
Since 2002, entering the KSA requires proof of vaccination against Meningitis ACWY (MenACWY). The vaccination must be quadrivalent (against the 4 strains), and every person over 2 attending Hajj and Umrah must show proof they have had the vaccine at least 10 days and not exceeding 3 years before entering the country 3.
Learn more on the Requirements for entry to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj during the Hajj season.
There are 3 MenACWY vaccines available in the UK: Menveo®, Niminrix® and MenQuadfi®.
If a pilgrim has not had one of these vaccines in the past 3 years, they must receive one at least 10 days before they travel to KSA. The name of the vaccine must be written clearly on the certificate 3.
Children in the UK are vaccinated against Meningococcal strains B and C through their childhood immunities, but they are not vaccinated against strain W, which has been linked to outbreaks at Hajj in previous years 1.
While some UK vaccines contain gelatine, none of the MenACWY vaccines contain this pork derivative. Health-Regulations-En.pdf (moh.gov.sa)
In conclusion, the necessity of meningitis vaccination for pilgrims embarking on the sacred journeys of Umrah and Hajj cannot be overstated. With the heightened risk of infectious diseases in crowded pilgrimage settings, the Meningitis ACWY vaccine plays a crucial role in protecting pilgrims from the potentially serious and life-threatening effects of meningitis. It is imperative for all pilgrims to require meningitis vaccination at least 10 days before embarking on their pilgrimage. By adhering to these vaccination requirements, pilgrims can contribute to a safer and healthier pilgrimage experience for themselves and their fellow travellers.
Related Post: Sacred Journey to Hajj : 11 Must-Know Tips for Pilgrims | Travel Jab Guru
References:
Written by Amanda Howarth – June 2024
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