The ministry has also announced launching a campaign to vaccinate all individuals involved in Hajj against meningitis and influenza.

The health of arriving pilgrims will be monitored under the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the USA’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Health centers at points of entry will work on a 24-hour basis to supply vaccines, preventive drugs and medicines.

The ministry has supplied medical guidelines to pilgrims at the time of their visa application at Saudi embassies.

Vaccination against meningitis is mandatory for all pilgrims, while vaccination against influenza is vital but not mandatory . Last year, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah made meningitis vaccination an obligation for all pilgrims within at least ten days prior to pilgrimage.

Vaccination is the administration of antigenic material to stimulate an individual’s immune system to develop adaptive immunity to a pathogen. Vaccines can prevent or ameliorate infectious disease.

The WHO reports that licensed vaccines are currently available for 25 preventable infections.

Advanced Facilities for Hajj

The ministry prepared 25 hospitals in Arafat, Minah, Makkah, Madinah and King Abdullah Medical City. In addition to more than 155 seasonal primary health care centers.

These facilities have 5,000 beds, including 500 for intensive-care units and 550 for emergencies. That’s beside the Holy Mosque’s hospital for emergency cases. Moreover, there are 100 mini-ambulances in the holy cities.

In cooperation with the health ministry, the Saudi Ministry of Labor and Social Development has launched a portal for Saudis seeking Hajj-related temporary jobs during this year’s pilgrimage season.