If you are making somewhat last minute plans to take your children along on the Hajj this year, it is imperative that you contact their pediatrician to make sure that you have fulfilled all of their vaccination requirements. Muslims from North America who have previously completed the pilgrimage tell us that immunizations are a must and, unfortunately, even then, pilgrims are not completely protected from what some have termed "the disease of the Hajj" - it is routine for people of all ages to fall ill upon their return.
Children may be even more susceptible to becoming ill, as their immune systems are often not able to cope with the variety of bacteria and germs that they are exposed to during the Hajj. Be careful not to skip or neglect the schedule for the completion of vaccinations that are given as a series.
Special Note:
Meningococcal Meningitis
Current standards listed both on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) web site and by the Saudi Arabian embassy indicate that vaccinations for
meningitis are a must. There are special dose requirements for children three months to two years of age. Please review the text box below and consult your child's pediatrician.
For all arrivals: Visitors from all over the world arriving for the purpose of "Umra" or pilgrimage, or for seasonal work, are requested to produce a certificate of vaccination against meningitis issued not more than 3 years and not less than 10 days before their arrival in Saudi Arabia. The responsible authorities in the visitor's country of origin must ensure that this vaccination has been carried out as follows:
Adults and children over the age of 2 years must be given one dose of the A/C vaccine. Children between 3 months and 2 years of age must be given two doses of the A vaccine with a 3-month interval between the two doses.
Readers are invited to visit our Hajj page which features the questions of people just like yourself who have either gone on the Hajj before, or are preparing to go this year. Just click:
http://www.islamonline.net/Hajj/English/browse.asp
Editor's Note: If you would like to share your Hajj experience with us, please write to
society@islam-online.net
