The Saudi government has suspended the requirement for the meningococcal vaccine, allowing travellers to perform Umrah without this previously mandatory immunisation.
Several Bahraini travel agencies and tourism offices have confirmed receiving a circular from the General Authority of Civil Aviation in Saudi Arabia, stating that the requirement for the meningitis vaccination has been suspended with immediate effect.
The vaccination requirement was initially scheduled to take effect on Monday.
Prior to the latest announcement, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health had mandated the meningitis vaccine for all Umrah pilgrims, regardless of their visa type. The vaccine had to be administered no more than three years and no less than ten days before arrival in Saudi Arabia.
