Swine Flu May Curtail Hajj for Many

A meeting of Arab health ministers  took place in Egypt last week. Recommendations adopted there may place restrictions on who may make hajj this year.  It is not certain yet which countries will place the recommendations into effect. In an effort to disrupt the spread of  the H1N1 swine flu virus,  Muslims with chronic illnesses, under 12 or over 65 may  be banned from hajj.

Authorities in Egypt, India and Pakistan have said that bureaucratic problems arising from efforts to enforce the ban while simultaneously fulfilling alloted hajj quotas would present many difficulties for their respective countries. Over 20% of hajj applicants in each these countries is over 65 years old.

Hajj Immunization for 2009

Guidelines for those planning to make hajj in 2009 can be found at the Ministry of Hajj.  Do not leave getting your immunizations until the last minute.  Depending on where you are traveling from, you may be advised to have immunizations against yellow fever, or to get a single 500 mg dose of ciprofloxacin. Immunizations received within less than 10 days arrival in Saudia Arabia will not be accepted and you will not get to make hajj. Also look at other recommendations for immunizations for adults and children.