Umrah vaccination requirements
Unlike Hajj, Umrah can be performed at any time of year, and many families travel at short notice once a visa is approved through Nusuk. The vaccination requirement is the same: proof of Meningococcal ACWY vaccination is checked as part of visa processing.
Because Umrah trips are often booked quickly, the 10-day certificate validity rule is the single most common reason pilgrims are delayed. Dr. Vaccines issues your certificate on the day of vaccination so you can file your paperwork immediately, but the clock still starts at the injection.
Your certificate becomes valid 10 days after vaccination. If your Umrah trip is being arranged at short notice, get vaccinated as soon as your dates are even provisional, not once the visa is issued.
Vaccines for Umrah pilgrims
| Vaccine | Status | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Meningococcal ACWY (quadrivalent) | Mandatory | Required by Saudi Arabia for every pilgrim aged 1 year and over. The certificate is valid from 10 days after the dose, so this cannot be left to the last week. A conjugate vaccine certificate is generally accepted for 5 years, a polysaccharide one for 3 years. |
| Polio (OPV/IPV) | Conditional | Required only for pilgrims arriving from countries Saudi Arabia currently designates as polio-affected or at-risk. That list is revised annually. We check your country of origin against the current list at your consultation. |
| Yellow fever | Conditional | Required if you are arriving from, or have recently transited, a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. Not applicable to most pilgrims travelling directly from India. |
| Seasonal influenza | Recommended | Strongly recommended by Saudi health authorities for all pilgrims. Respiratory infection spreads easily in dense crowds and shared accommodation. |
| Hepatitis A | Recommended | Worth considering for any travel involving food prepared outside the home, particularly for children and first-time travellers. |
| Typhoid | Recommended | Commonly advised for travel in the region, especially for longer stays or when combining Umrah with onward travel. |
Preparing for Umrah
Vaccinate before the visa, not after
Umrah visas are often issued quickly. The 10-day validity window is the usual bottleneck, so treat vaccination as the first step once your dates firm up.
Travelling with family
The meningococcal requirement applies from 1 year of age, so children need their own certificates. We can vaccinate the whole family in one appointment.
Check whether you are already covered
If you performed Umrah or Hajj in the past few years, your existing certificate may still be within its 3- or 5-year validity. Bring it and we will confirm before giving another dose.
Combining Umrah with other travel
If you are continuing to another country afterwards, tell us, onward destinations can add their own requirements, including yellow fever certification.
Umrah vaccination FAQs
Which vaccination is required for an Umrah visa?+
Meningococcal ACWY (quadrivalent) is mandatory for all pilgrims aged 1 year and above, and proof is checked during Umrah visa processing. The certificate is valid from 10 days after vaccination.
How soon before Umrah should I be vaccinated?+
At least 10 days before you arrive in Saudi Arabia, because that is when the certificate becomes valid. Since Umrah is often booked at short notice, we recommend vaccinating as soon as your travel dates are provisional.
Is the Umrah vaccination the same as the Hajj vaccination?+
The mandatory vaccine is the same: Meningococcal ACWY. Hajj involves far larger crowds, a fixed season and a longer, more physically demanding stay, so we usually discuss additional recommended vaccines such as pneumococcal and hepatitis cover for Hajj pilgrims.
Do children need Umrah vaccinations?+
Yes, from 1 year of age. Each child needs their own certificate for visa processing. We can see the whole family in a single appointment.
How long is my Umrah vaccination certificate valid?+
Generally 5 years for a conjugate Meningococcal ACWY vaccine and 3 years for a polysaccharide one. If you travel for Umrah again within that period you will usually not need another dose.
Can I get the Umrah vaccine and certificate the same day?+
Yes. We administer the vaccine and issue your certificate in the same visit, so you can submit it with your visa paperwork right away, bearing in mind the 10-day validity rule.
Before you rely on this page
Saudi Arabia updates its pilgrim health requirements each season, and some rules (notably polio and yellow fever) depend on the country you are travelling from. Confirm the current requirements with the Saudi Ministry of Health or your visa provider before you travel. This page is general information, not personal medical advice. Our doctors will advise you based on your own history at your appointment.
Book your Umrah vaccination
Vaccination and certificate in a single visit at Dr. Vaccines. Bring any previous vaccination records so we can check what you already have.