Health advisories
Health advisory for Haj pilgrims (Apr 2026)
7 April 2026
The annual Haj pilgrimage which gathers large crowds of pilgrims from different countries increases the risk of contracting infectious diseases. The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) advises Haj pilgrims to take the following health preventive measures when travelling to Saudi Arabia.
Pre-travel preparations
Consult your healthcare provider four to six weeks prior to your travel for a health risk assessment, including advice on required or recommended vaccinations, preventive medications (prophylaxis) and ways to stay healthy during your travel.
Be up to date with the recommended vaccinations and boosters in the National Adult Immunisation Schedule (NAIS) or National Childhood Immunisation Schedule (NCIS).
Be aware of the health situation and entry requirements in Saudi Arabia.
Vaccination requirements and recommendations
Pilgrims must meet specific vaccination requirements set by the Ministry of Health Saudi Arabia, which include mandatory meningococcal vaccination for all and COVID-19 vaccination for selected pilgrims.
In consultation with MUIS, influenza and COVID-19 vaccination will also be required for all pilgrims. These vaccination requirements are intended to safeguard pilgrims' health throughout their journey.
Pilgrims are also encouraged to update their NAIS/NCIS vaccinations before travel.
Please refer to Table 1 for more details.
Table 1. Vaccine requirements and recommendations for Singapore pilgrims
Vaccine | Vaccination details |
Required | |
Meningococcal vaccine | Vaccination[1] must be completed at least 10 days prior to travel. The validity of the vaccination varies depending on the type of vaccine received: - Quadrivalent meningococcal (ACWY) conjugate vaccine: valid for 5 years. - Quadrivalent meningococcal (ACWY) polysaccharide vaccine: valid for 3 years (Meningococcal polysaccharide vaccines are no longer registered in Singapore). |
COVID-19 vaccine | Proof of immunisation against COVID-19, which includes at least one of the following, must be shown: 1. A single dose of the updated COVID-19 vaccines for the 2025-2026 season, or 2. Completion of the primary vaccination series (two or more doses received during the years 2021 to 2024), or 3. Laboratory-confirmed recovery from a COVID-19 infection during the year 2025. |
Influenza vaccine | Influenza vaccination must be received within 12 months before your travel date, and to ensure optimal protection, pilgrims should receive the Southern Hemisphere (SH) influenza vaccination at least 2 weeks before travelling. As the Haj period occurs during the SH influenza season, pilgrims should receive the updated 2026 SH influenza vaccination, which is now available[2]. For pilgrims who have already received the 2025-2026 Northern Hemisphere (NH) influenza vaccine, it is recommended that they also receive the current 2026 SH influenza vaccine for better protection against circulating influenza strains during the SH influenza season. A minimum 8-week interval is recommended between the NH and the SH influenza vaccinations. |
Recommended | |
Pneumococcal vaccine | Recommended in the NAIS and NCIS for children below 5 years of age, adults aged 65 years and older, and persons aged between 5 and 64 years with certain medical conditions. |
Routine vaccines | Other nationally recommended vaccinations include measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), varicella and hepatitis B vaccinations (for children and adults), and diphtheria and polio vaccinations (for children). |
Subsidies are available for eligible Singaporeans and Permanent Residents who meet the criteria for vaccination for nationally recommended vaccinations. Please consult your doctor for further advice regarding the above vaccinations or on other travel-related vaccinations prior to travel. For more information on COVID-19 and other nationally recommended vaccinations and subsidies available, please visit: | |
[1] Meningococcal conjugate vaccine can be administered in children as early as 6 weeks of age. Please approach your doctor for advice on the type of meningococcal conjugate vaccines that are suitable for children below one year of age.
[2] Pilgrims should contact their clinic to confirm the availability of the Southern Hemisphere influenza vaccine before going down for vaccination.
During travel precautions
General Health Advice
Personal Hygiene
Always observe and practise good personal hygiene.
Practise frequent hand washing with soap and water (e.g., before handling food or eating, after going to toilet, or when hands are dirty from coughing or sneezing). If water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid close contact and sharing common items with persons who are unwell, such as those suffering from respiratory or gastrointestinal (e.g., vomiting/diarrhoea) symptoms.
Wear a surgical mask, especially when in crowded places.
Food and Water Safety
Eat food that has been fully cooked. Fruits that can be peeled are safer to eat (wash before peeling).
Avoid consuming raw and unpasteurised milk (e.g., camel milk), undercooked meats (e.g., camel meat) and seafood, or food prepared under unsanitary conditions.
Drink only factory sealed bottled or canned water/drinks, or water that has been boiled for at least one minute. Avoid consuming tap water and ice made from unknown sources.
Safety Against Diseases Spread by Insects and Animals
Avoid feeding or touching animals, including camels, stray or wild animals.
Protect yourself from insect bites by using an effective insect repellent (e.g., those containing DEET, Picaridin or IR3535 as the active ingredient). Re-apply every four to six hours on exposed skin.
Medical care during and after travel
Wear a surgical mask and seek medical attention promptly if you become unwell while travelling or within 2 weeks after returning to Singapore.
Inform the doctor of your travel history and any exposure to sick contacts, healthcare facilities, animals, insect bites, environment (e.g., soil, water bodies) or potentially contaminated food.
Other health alert(s)
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a viral illness caused by the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Symptoms of MERS-CoV infection include fever, cough and shortness of breath. In some cases, the infection can lead to severe illness and complications, such as lung infection (pneumonia). Approximately one-third of reported cases have resulted in death. The virus is present in infected camels and can spread to humans through contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. It may also spread through close contact with infected persons and in healthcare settings.
MERS-CoV cases are predominantly reported in countries within the Arabian Peninsula, with the majority of cases reported in Saudi Arabia. The most recent MERS-CoV cases outside of the Arabian Peninsula were reported from France, involving individuals who had recent travel to the Arabian Peninsula in November 2025.
Click here for more information on MERS.