Meningitis vaccination not needed for work visas to Saudi Arabia

Travellers going to Saudi Arabia on work visas will not require meningitis vaccinations, but those travelling for Hajj, Umrah or on visitor visas will be required to have them from Feb 10.

The issue was clarified by Group Captain Muhammed Kamrul Islam, executive director of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, on Tuesday.

On Monday, a letter from Group Captain Kamrul was circulated to all relevant organisations operating at the airport, Hajj agencies, airlines, stakeholders, and the media.

It stated that according to the decision by the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia, the country's General Authority of Civil Aviation and the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, all Umrah pilgrims and people traveling to Saudi Arabia from Bangladesh on visitor visas must be vaccinated against meningitis.

Four points were clarified in the announcement:

Meningitis vaccinations must be taken at least 10 days before travelling

Children below one year of age do not need the vaccination

Those who have taken the vaccine within the last three years do not need to take a new (repeat) dose.

The restriction will be implemented from Feb 10