Prospective pilgrims planning Hajj 1448 AH, corresponding to 2027, must meet a defined set of vaccination and health requirements before their visas can be processed. The rules form part of instructions issued by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to Hajj missions, with medical certificates uploaded to the Nusuk portal for verification ahead of visa approval.
According to guidance reported in early September 2026, the certificates serve as proof that a pilgrim has received the required vaccinations and is free of the illnesses listed by the Saudi Ministry of Health. The requirements apply to adults and children aged one year and older.
Meningitis: the mandatory vaccine
The central requirement is the quadruple meningitis vaccine (ACYW). It is compulsory for anyone wishing to attend Hajj or enter the Hajj areas, and it must be administered at least ten days before arrival.
Two forms are accepted. The quadruple (ACYW) polysaccharide vaccine is valid for a period not exceeding three years from the date of vaccination. The quadruple conjugate (ACYW) vaccine is valid for a period not exceeding five years. Pilgrims should check the type they received and confirm it will still be valid on their travel dates.
Polio and yellow fever
Additional requirements depend on a pilgrim's country of departure. Travellers coming from regions where wild or vaccine-derived poliovirus still circulates must show proof of at least one dose of either bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV) or inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). The dose should have been given between four weeks and twelve months before entering the Kingdom.
Yellow fever vaccination is required for all pilgrims above nine months of age arriving from regions where the disease is prevalent. The certificate becomes valid ten days after vaccination and, once valid, remains so for life.
COVID-19 and seasonal influenza
Prospective pilgrims aged 12 and older are required to complete the doses of a Kingdom-approved COVID-19 vaccine. Accepted vaccines include Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Oxford/AstraZeneca, Janssen, Covovax, Nuvaxovid, Sinopharm, Sinovac, Covexin and Sputnik V, with the required number of doses varying by product.
Seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended rather than mandatory. The Ministry of Health advises all travellers to the Hajj regions to receive the flu vaccine at least ten days before arrival. This is especially important for pregnant women, children under five, the elderly and those with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems. Pilgrims from countries that use the northern hemisphere formulation are advised to take the southern hemisphere vaccine before travelling.
Practical tips for pilgrims
Pilgrims should plan their vaccinations early. Because the meningitis vaccine must be given at least ten days before arrival, and because polio and yellow fever doses have their own timing windows, leaving these to the final weeks risks a delayed or rejected visa. Keep original vaccination certificates, as scanned copies must be uploaded to Nusuk for verification. Confirm with a licensed operator which requirements apply based on the country of departure, since polio and yellow fever rules are region-specific. Those with chronic conditions should consult a doctor about the seasonal flu vaccine well before departure.