If you require any vaccinations relating to foreign travel you need to make an appointment with the practice nurse to discuss your travel arrangements. This will include which countries and areas within countries that you are visiting to determine what vaccinations are required.
To help us offer the appropriate advice, please fill out and return the form to us before coming to see the nurse. Please note completed forms may take up to 4 weeks to process.
It is important to make this initial appointment as early as possible – at least 8 weeks before you travel – as a second appointment will be required with the practice nurse to actually receive the vaccinations. These vaccines have to be ordered as they are not a stock vaccine. Your second appointment needs to be at least 2 weeks before you travel to allow the vaccines to work.
- Some travel vaccines are ordered on a private prescription and these incur a charge over and above the normal prescription charge. This is because not all travel vaccinations are included in the services provided by the NHS.
Travellers to Hajj / Umrah
Vaccination Advice
The Saudi Ministry of Health requires all visitors travelling to Hajj/Umrah to have Meningococcal vaccination and recent Flu vaccine (and possibly swine flu) and a certificate of proof. The certificate states that the vaccine should be issued no less than 10 days prior to travel, and not more than 3 years old. Please note that it take up to 6 weeks before the vaccines become effective.
Therefore if an appointment is requested within 6 weeks of travel, the surgery will not be able to provide your vaccine, and would recommend you contact the travel clinics above.
Other Health
Don’t forget to notify any changes of your health to your holiday insurance prior to your travel. Medical help is available if you become ill on your pilgrimage. However you may want to consider the following prior to your trip; for men needing to shave their head during the pilgrimage, the Saudi authorities provide licensed barbers which conform to legal standards. Using an unlicensed barber there is a high risk of contracting Hepatitis B. Do not share any previously used razor/blade. It is advisable to take you own razors with you.
The Hajj Cough
A viral cough can be experienced by many pilgrims to the Hajj which can be mild to a severe illness. Simple precautions to take include use of tissues to cover mouth and nose, safe disposal of this, and simple hand washing will help to reduce this infection. As the seasonal flu jab may not protect you from every viral strain.
Dehydration
Daytime temperatures may reach up to 30c, therefore ensure to take with you adequate bottled water, sun screen (factor 15-30), an umbrella for shade, anti-diarrhoeal medication. Quality footwear to protect from heat and to use for walking great distances, pilgrims are advised to carry footwear in a bag to prevent loss during prayer times.
Malaria Protection
Malaria is not present in Medina or Makkah, but Pilgrims planning to travel further or to the south western region of Saudi Arabia should consult their travel clinic nurse/GP.
Further Information
The following websites will give you additional travel advice.