The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has issued the official health requirements and guidelines for all pilgrims participating in the 2026 Hajj, corresponding to the Islamic year 1447 AH.
In a statement signed by the Deputy Director Information and Publications of NAHCON, Fatima Sanda Usara, said the guidelines outline the mandatory medical fitness standards and vaccination protocols that intending pilgrims must fulfill before embarking on the pilgrimage.
According to the circular released by the Saudi Ministry of Health, all countries including Nigeria are to ensure that their citizens traveling for Hajj are medically fit and free from ailments that could endanger their health or that of others.
The circular lists certain medical conditions that disqualify individuals from performing Hajj. These include:
Severe heart, lung, liver, or kidney diseases
Advanced chronic illnesses or disabilities that impede movement or self-care
Mental or psychological disorders that could pose safety risks
Senility with dementia
High-risk pregnancies
Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, biological, or radiological treatment
Active infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and hemorrhagic fevers
The Kingdom emphasized that all intending pilgrims must present a medical fitness certificate issued by authorized medical institutions in their respective countries, confirming that they are free of these conditions.
Mandatory Vaccinations
Saudi health authorities reiterated that all pilgrims must provide valid certificates of vaccination against COVID-19, meningitis, polio, and yellow fever before entering the Kingdom. The specific requirements are as follows:
1. COVID-19:
All pilgrims and Hajj workers must present proof of full vaccination with vaccines approved by Saudi Arabia. The most recent dose should have been administered between 2021 and 2025, at least two weeks before travel.
2. Meningococcal Meningitis (ACWY):
All pilgrims must be vaccinated against meningitis with the ACWY vaccine no more than five years and no less than ten days prior to arrival in Saudi Arabia.
3. Polio:
Due to ongoing global surveillance, pilgrims from Nigeria must receive a dose of either the Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV) or Oral Polio Vaccine (bOPV/novel OPV2) at least four weeks before departure. Proof must be recorded in the International Certificate of Vaccination (Yellow Card).
4. Yellow Fever:
All travelers above nine months of age are required to present a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate upon entry into the Kingdom.
Compliance and Health Screening
The Saudi authorities stated that health screenings will be conducted at all entry points to verify compliance with the requirements. Any traveler found not meeting the stipulated health standards may be denied entry, isolated, or subjected to further medical examination.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stressed that:
“No pilgrim suffering from the listed diseases will be allowed to travel, and health certificates will be thoroughly verified before and upon arrival in the Kingdom.”
Furthermore, the Kingdom disclosed that additional health measures may be introduced in coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO) in the event of global disease outbreaks or international public health emergencies.
NAHCON Urges Compliance
In response to the circular, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has urged all intending pilgrims to take note of the new health requirements and complete their medical screening and vaccinations well in advance of the 2026 Hajj season.
NAHCON assured that it will collaborate closely with State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Licensed Tour Operators to enforce compliance and prevent any travel disruptions at Saudi entry points.
For more details, visit www.nahcon.gov.ng