Health authorities in the United Arab Emirates have added people travelling for Hajj and Umrah to the priority list for seasonal influenza vaccination. According to the Khaleej Times, the expanded priority groups were announced on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, as the country launched its Awareness Campaign on Influenza and Seasonal Respiratory Diseases.
The change places pilgrims alongside other high-risk groups who are urged to get vaccinated ahead of the flu season, which runs from around September to March. It underscores the health risks tied to large gatherings and long-distance travel during Umrah and Hajj.
The announcement comes as the Umrah season continues year-round and as families across the region plan trips to the holy cities. Public health officials have long treated the pilgrimage as a period of heightened risk for the spread of respiratory illness.
Who Is Now on the Priority List
Students and Hajj and Umrah travellers have been added to the existing priority categories. According to Gulf News, those categories already include pregnant women, children aged six months and above, elderly people, healthcare workers and people living with chronic conditions.
Authorities said influenza vaccines are available free of charge for priority groups across the country. According to the Khaleej Times, the vaccines are offered at all 121 Emirates Health Services facilities, while non-priority residents can access them at a minimal cost.
Dr. Nada Al Marzouqi said that influenza vaccines are available free of charge across the country for citizens and residents who fall within high-risk groups, according to the Khaleej Times. Officials encouraged eligible residents to book their shots early in the season.
Why Pilgrims Face Higher Risk
Hajj and Umrah bring together large numbers of people from many countries in close quarters. Crowded conditions in and around the holy sites can help respiratory illnesses spread, and pilgrims may carry or encounter influenza strains circulating in different regions.
Vaccination before travel is a long-standing recommendation from public health bodies for pilgrims. Getting the seasonal flu shot in advance gives the body time to build protection before departure and can reduce the chance of falling ill during the journey.
The risk is not limited to the traveller. Pilgrims can carry an infection home and pass it to family members, so vaccination is often described as protecting both the individual and the wider community.
Health Guidance for the Season
Alongside vaccination, UAE authorities issued general advice to limit the spread of respiratory illness. According to the reports, recommended measures include regular handwashing, covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, staying home when unwell and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
Officials also urged people to seek treatment for symptoms such as cough, fever and body aches. The guidance aligns with wider advice issued to pilgrims in recent seasons, including calls to complete required vaccinations before travelling.
The seasonal flu shot is separate from the vaccines that Saudi Arabia requires for entry during the pilgrimage. In recent years, Saudi authorities have mandated proof of meningococcal vaccination for arriving pilgrims and have updated other health requirements ahead of each season. Health officials generally advise travellers to treat the flu vaccine as an added layer of protection rather than a replacement for mandatory shots.
Practical Tips for Pilgrims
Pilgrims planning Umrah or Hajj from the UAE should schedule their seasonal flu vaccination well before departure, ideally at least ten days ahead so protection can develop. Those in priority groups can obtain the vaccine free at Emirates Health Services facilities.
Travellers should also confirm any vaccination requirements set by Saudi authorities for their specific season, since these can change year to year. Packing hand sanitizer, wearing a mask in crowded areas and staying hydrated can further lower the risk of illness. Pilgrims with chronic conditions should consult a doctor before travel to review their vaccinations and medications.