Hajj Approaching, CDC: Travelers to Saudi Arabia Should Get Meningitis Vaccine
Taiwan CDC warns that with the Islamic pilgrimage Hajj approaching in May, travelers to Saudi Arabia should be vaccinated against meningitis due to MERS and meningitis risks. Saudi Arabia mandates quadrivalent meningococcal and COVID-19 vaccines for pilgrims.
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- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 18:11
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Central News Agency (Reporter Tseng Yi-Ning, Taipei, 28th) - With the Islamic pilgrimage Hajj set to begin in May, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) today reminded that there were still 17 confirmed MERS cases in the local area last year, with 4 deaths among them. Saudi Arabia stipulates that pilgrims must be vaccinated with the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine, and pilgrims aged 12 and above should also be vaccinated against COVID-19.
This year's Islamic pilgrimage (Hajj) is expected to commence on May 25th, being the world's largest religious gathering, attracting millions of believers annually. The Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare's Centers for Disease Control today warned that due to the large crowd gatherings, pilgrims may be exposed to the risk of infectious diseases.
Li Chia-Lin, Deputy Director of the CDC's Epidemic Command Center, stated in a regular weekly epidemic report that Saudi Arabia reported a cumulative total of 17 confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection (MERS) last year, with 4 deaths among them. The majority of cases were in the central Riyadh Province, southwestern Najran Province, and western Taif City. Additionally, France reported 2 imported cases with a travel history to the Arabian Peninsula in December last year.
Li Chia-Lin stated that because the MERS virus continues to circulate in dromedary camels, leading to sporadic animal-to-human transmission events, there is currently no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment. The CDC has listed Saudi Arabia as a MERS travel epidemic level "Level 1: Watch" country, and those traveling there should avoid contact with camels or drinking raw camel milk or other animal milk.
Regarding meningococcal meningitis, Li Chia-Lin pointed out that 11 cases were reported locally in March last year, all patients had traveled for Hajj and had not been vaccinated. In addition, 6 sporadic confirmed cases were reported globally, all of whom were pilgrims who sought medical attention after returning to their home countries.
Li Chia-Lin reminded that the Saudi Arabian government stipulates that Hajj and Umrah pilgrims must be vaccinated with the quadrivalent (A, C, W135, Y) meningococcal vaccine and must present an International Certificate of Vaccination (Yellow Card). The vaccination certificate becomes effective 10 days after vaccination, and the quadrivalent conjugate vaccine is effective for 5 years. It also requires pilgrims aged 12 and above to be vaccinated against COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus disease), and it is also recommended that all those traveling to Hajj areas receive the seasonal influenza vaccine.
Furthermore, due to the ongoing international measles epidemic, the CDC recommends that travelers consider self-funded vaccination for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
The CDC reminds that during their stay, people should pay attention to personal dietary hygiene and hand cleanliness, wear masks when going to crowded or poorly ventilated places, and avoid close contact with travelers with respiratory symptoms. It also recommends taking mosquito repellent measures, including wearing light-colored long-sleeved clothing and trousers, and using mosquito repellents containing effective ingredients approved by government agencies. (Editor: Wu Su-Jou) 1150428
This year's Islamic pilgrimage (Hajj) is expected to commence on May 25th, being the world's largest religious gathering, attracting millions of believers annually. The Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare's Centers for Disease Control today warned that due to the large crowd gatherings, pilgrims may be exposed to the risk of infectious diseases.
Li Chia-Lin, Deputy Director of the CDC's Epidemic Command Center, stated in a regular weekly epidemic report that Saudi Arabia reported a cumulative total of 17 confirmed cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection (MERS) last year, with 4 deaths among them. The majority of cases were in the central Riyadh Province, southwestern Najran Province, and western Taif City. Additionally, France reported 2 imported cases with a travel history to the Arabian Peninsula in December last year.
Li Chia-Lin stated that because the MERS virus continues to circulate in dromedary camels, leading to sporadic animal-to-human transmission events, there is currently no vaccine or specific antiviral treatment. The CDC has listed Saudi Arabia as a MERS travel epidemic level "Level 1: Watch" country, and those traveling there should avoid contact with camels or drinking raw camel milk or other animal milk.
Regarding meningococcal meningitis, Li Chia-Lin pointed out that 11 cases were reported locally in March last year, all patients had traveled for Hajj and had not been vaccinated. In addition, 6 sporadic confirmed cases were reported globally, all of whom were pilgrims who sought medical attention after returning to their home countries.
Li Chia-Lin reminded that the Saudi Arabian government stipulates that Hajj and Umrah pilgrims must be vaccinated with the quadrivalent (A, C, W135, Y) meningococcal vaccine and must present an International Certificate of Vaccination (Yellow Card). The vaccination certificate becomes effective 10 days after vaccination, and the quadrivalent conjugate vaccine is effective for 5 years. It also requires pilgrims aged 12 and above to be vaccinated against COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus disease), and it is also recommended that all those traveling to Hajj areas receive the seasonal influenza vaccine.
Furthermore, due to the ongoing international measles epidemic, the CDC recommends that travelers consider self-funded vaccination for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
The CDC reminds that during their stay, people should pay attention to personal dietary hygiene and hand cleanliness, wear masks when going to crowded or poorly ventilated places, and avoid close contact with travelers with respiratory symptoms. It also recommends taking mosquito repellent measures, including wearing light-colored long-sleeved clothing and trousers, and using mosquito repellents containing effective ingredients approved by government agencies. (Editor: Wu Su-Jou) 1150428