Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), is one of the largest gatherings of its kind in the world. This year, Hajj begins on 26 June 2023. Normally, about three million Muslims from all over the world gather in Mecca. For Hajj 2023, the KSA Ministry of Health has announced that regulations have been restored to the pre-pandemic situation; there are no longer COVID-19 precautions and age restrictions for pilgrims.
As a precaution, the KSA recommends that pregnant women and young children postpone performing Hajj and Umrah.
Umrah is a shorter pilgrimage for Muslims that is performed as part of the Hajj ritual, but can also be undertaken at any time.
As a precaution, the KSA recommends that pregnant women and young children postpone performing Hajj and Umrah.
Umrah is a shorter pilgrimage for Muslims that is performed as part of the Hajj ritual, but can also be undertaken at any time.
Performing the rituals of Hajj and Umrah is demanding and often requires long distances in hot weather. Pilgrims must make sure that they are as physically fit as possible.
Ideally, pilgrims should see their doctor at least four to six weeks before performing the Hajj so that recommended and mandatory vaccinations can be administered, health status checked, and recommended precautions for the pilgrimage discussed.
In particular, pilgrims with pre-existing conditions should discuss with their doctor whether the trip can be made and under what precautions. If you are taking prescribed medication, make sure you have a sufficient supply to cover your stay abroad and have some extra in case of delays, and carry a copy of your prescription with you. See also instructions on the factsheet Hajj-Umrah.
The following vaccinations are recommended or mandatory according to the KSA:
• All pilgrims should have valid routine vaccinations (diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis/poliomyelitis/measles, mumps, rubella, varicella).
• Meningococcal vaccination (quadrivalent conjugate vaccine, Menveo®) is mandatory for all persons 1 year of age and older and must be administered at least 10 days prior to departure.
• Poliomyelitis vaccination: In addition to the basic immunization, a polio booster vaccination is mandatory if you are entering from countries where wild or circulating polioviruses are reported or positive environmental samples are available
• Vaccination against COVID-19 is mandatory
• Influenza vaccination
• Hepatitis A vaccination
• Hepatitis B vaccination (especially for men because of head shaving)
• Yellow fever vaccination, if entering from a yellow fever endemic area
• Other vaccinations depending on risk: see Saudi Arabia country page at www.healthytravel.ch.
Recommended precautions:
• Disposable razor blades are recommended for the obligatory head shave
• Good personal hygiene (hand washing, disinfecting, etc.), use tissues when coughing or sneezing, and dispose of used tissues in the wastebasket.
• Wear a face mask in large crowds.
• Avoid contact with persons who appear to be ill and their personal belongings.
• Avoid visits and contact with camels at farms, markets, and avoid drinking unpasteurized milk or eating raw meat or uncooked animal products.
• Good food and drinking water hygiene
• Drink plenty of fluids!
• Avoid direct sunlight
• Mosquito repellent, especially during the day (dengue fever!)
Ideally, pilgrims should see their doctor at least four to six weeks before performing the Hajj so that recommended and mandatory vaccinations can be administered, health status checked, and recommended precautions for the pilgrimage discussed.
In particular, pilgrims with pre-existing conditions should discuss with their doctor whether the trip can be made and under what precautions. If you are taking prescribed medication, make sure you have a sufficient supply to cover your stay abroad and have some extra in case of delays, and carry a copy of your prescription with you. See also instructions on the factsheet Hajj-Umrah.
The following vaccinations are recommended or mandatory according to the KSA:
• All pilgrims should have valid routine vaccinations (diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis/poliomyelitis/measles, mumps, rubella, varicella).
• Meningococcal vaccination (quadrivalent conjugate vaccine, Menveo®) is mandatory for all persons 1 year of age and older and must be administered at least 10 days prior to departure.
• Poliomyelitis vaccination: In addition to the basic immunization, a polio booster vaccination is mandatory if you are entering from countries where wild or circulating polioviruses are reported or positive environmental samples are available
• Vaccination against COVID-19 is mandatory
• Influenza vaccination
• Hepatitis A vaccination
• Hepatitis B vaccination (especially for men because of head shaving)
• Yellow fever vaccination, if entering from a yellow fever endemic area
• Other vaccinations depending on risk: see Saudi Arabia country page at www.healthytravel.ch.
Recommended precautions:
• Disposable razor blades are recommended for the obligatory head shave
• Good personal hygiene (hand washing, disinfecting, etc.), use tissues when coughing or sneezing, and dispose of used tissues in the wastebasket.
• Wear a face mask in large crowds.
• Avoid contact with persons who appear to be ill and their personal belongings.
• Avoid visits and contact with camels at farms, markets, and avoid drinking unpasteurized milk or eating raw meat or uncooked animal products.
• Good food and drinking water hygiene
• Drink plenty of fluids!
• Avoid direct sunlight
• Mosquito repellent, especially during the day (dengue fever!)