Rabat – The Moroccan Ministry of Health and Social Protection announced on Saturday that meningitis vaccines are available at pharmacies across the country.
The vaccine is required for pilgrims performing Umrah or visiting sacred places in Saudi Arabia.
The ministry confirmed in a statement that citizens wishing to undertake the pilgrimage can obtain the vaccine from any pharmacy and then visit an approved health center to receive the vaccination and obtain a certificate of vaccination.
The service is also available at the Pasteur Institute of Morocco, added the statement.
The ministry noted that travelers should receive the vaccine at least 10 days before their departure and present the vaccination certificate when traveling.
Children under one year old and those who have received the vaccine within the last five years are exempt from this requirement, provided they present proof of prior vaccination.
The ministry also urged citizens to fully comply with Saudi Arabia’s health regulations, saying they aim to ensure the safety and well-being of all travelers.
Starting February 1, Saudi Arabia will require all pilgrims and visitors to be vaccinated against meningitis to enter the country.
“Adults and children aged over 2 years arriving for Umrah, Hajj or for seasonal work in Hajj zones, are required to submit a valid vaccination certificate with a quadrivalent (ACYW) meningococcal vaccine administered not less than 10 days prior to the planned arrival to Saudi Arabia,” according to the Saudia website.
Meningitis outbreaks have been linked to the Hajj pilgrimage in the past, especially due to crowded conditions, according to the Miningitis Research Foundation. The disease is caused by meningococcal bacteria and spreads more easily in large gatherings.
