Travel health information for people travelling abroad from the UK

Saudi Arabia (Middle East)

Immunisations

• Confirm primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain - including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions. 
• Courses or boosters usually advised: diphtheria; hepatitis A.
• Other vaccines to consider: tetanus; typhoid; hepatitis B; meningococcal meningitis; rabies; influenza.
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate required from travellers coming from areas with risk of yellow fever transmission.
• Meningococcal vaccination certificate requirements:

• Visitors from any country arriving for Hajj pilgrimage and Umrah, or for seasonal work, are required to produce a certificate of vaccination against meningococcal infections ACWY which has been issued not more than 3 years and no less than 10 days prior to arrival in Saudi Arabia.
• All arrivals from countries within the African Meningitis Belt (Benin; Burkina Faso; Cameroon; Chad; Central African Republic; Cote d'Ivoire; Eritrea; Ethiopia; Gambia; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Mali; Niger; Nigeria; Senegal and Sudan) will also be administered antibiotic treatment at the point of entry as an added precaution.

• Influenza Vaccination:

• The Ministry of Health of Saudia Arabia recommends influenza vaccine before arrival, especially for those at increased risk e.g. the elderly, chronic chest or heart disease.

• Poliomyelitis Vaccination:

• The Ministry of Health of Saudia Arabia has announced that proof of vaccination against polio will be required of all pilgrims under the age of 15 coming from the following countries where polio is currently an issue: Congo,  Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Niger, Liberia, Uganda, Mali, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Tajikistan, Mauritania, Nepal, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Russia, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Somalia.
• All travellers from Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Angola and Sudan REGARDLESS OF AGE  and vaccination status, should receive 1 dose of OPV 6 weeks prior to departure for Saudi Arabia and on arriving in Saudi Arabia will also receive a dose of OPV at borders points. 

Notes on the diseases mentioned above

• Tetanus is contracted through dirty cuts and scratches. This is a serious infection of the nervous system. A total of 5 doses of tetanus vaccine is recommended for life in the UK. Tetanus vaccine is usually recommended for travellers who will be in a country or situation where the correct treatment of a tetanus prone injury may not be readily available. 
• Typhoid and hepatitis A are spread through contaminated food and water. Typhoid causes septicaemia and hepatitis A causes liver inflammation and jaundice. In risk areas you should be immunised if good hygiene is impossible.
• Meningococcal meningitis and diphtheria are also spread by droplet infection through close personal contact. Vaccination is advised if close contact with locals in risk areas.
• Influenza - should be considered for travellers to the Hajj pilgrimages especially for those at higher risk of complications following infection.
• Hepatitis B is spread through infected blood, contaminated needles and sexual intercourse, It affects the liver, causes jaundice and occasionally liver failure. Vaccination is recommended for those at occupational risk (e.g. health care workers), for long stays or frequent travel to medium and high risk areas, for those more likely to be exposed such as children (from cuts and scratches) and those who may need surgical procedures.
• Rabies is spread through bites or licks on broken skin from an infected animal. It is always fatal. Vaccination is advised for those going to risk areas that will be remote from a reliable source of vaccine. Even when pre-exposure vaccines have been received urgent medical advice should be sought after any animal bite.

Malaria

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease transmitted by mosquitoes. You cannot be vaccinated against malaria.

Malaria precautions

• Malaria Map
• Risk is mainly from the malignant form and is found in the south western region except high altitude areas of Asir Province and the cities of Mecca, Medina, Jeddah and Taif.
• Hajj pilgrims, many travel between Mecca and Medina. The risk of malaria is low in both cities and antimalarial prophylaxis is not advised while in either city. However, the journey between them passes through an area of high risk for malaria. The journey takes 6 hours by road. If it is undertaken during the daytime, in an air conditioned vehicle from which mosquitoes can be excluded, the risk of malaria is very low and it is reasonable to practice bite avoidance only.
• Malaria precautions are essential. Avoid mosquito bites by covering up with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers especially after sunset, using insect repellents on exposed skin and, when necessary, sleeping under a mosquito net.
• Check with your doctor or nurse about suitable antimalarial tablets.
• Atovaquone/proguanil OR doxycycline OR mefloquine is advised throughout the year for those visiting risk areas.
• If you have been travelling in a malarious area and develop a fever seek medical attention promptly. Remember malaria can develop even up to one year after exposure.
• If travelling to high risk malarious areas, remote from medical facilities, carrying emergency malaria standby treatment may be considered.

Other Disease Risks

Schistosomiasis (also known as Bilharzia)

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection that is transmitted to humans through contact with fresh water. The parasite enters humans through the skin and prevention is dependant on avoidance of swimming, bathing or paddling in fresh water lakes and streams.