All Nigerian pilgrims performing the 2026 Hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have been mandated by authorities of the Kingdom to receive a dose of the Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV) or Oral Polio Vaccine (bOPV/novel OPV2).
This was contained in the circular on health requirements and guidelines for pilgrims participating in the 2026 Hajj (1447 AH) released by Saudi health authorities, outlining the mandatory and recommended medical conditions that intending pilgrims must meet before embarking on the pilgrimage.
The Saudi health authorities insistence on all Nigerian pilgrims receiving polio vaccine is due to global surveillance, adding that the vaccine must be taken at least four weeks before travel to the Kingdom and proof must be recorded in the International Certificate of Vaccination (Yellow Card).
Nigeria was declared free of wild poliovirus by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on August 25, 2020, though the country continues to face risks from circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVDPC2).
The Nigerian government, through technical supports from WHO and partners, has launched rapid surveillance and assessments to enhance the capacity to detect suspected cases and guide vaccination responses through the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC).
According to the circular, all countries, including Nigeria, are to ensure that their citizens performing Hajj were physically fit and free from ailments that could affect their health or that of others during the pilgrimage.
The National Hajj Commission if Nigeria (NAHCON) infirmed on Saturday that the Saudi Ministry of Health listed severe heart, lung or kidney diseases, advanced chronic illnesses and mental or psychological disorders as conditions that might prevent an individual from performing next year’s Hajj.
The circular further mandates full compliance with the Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health medical fitness requirements for attending Hajj, including a certificate from medical authorities of the pilgrims’ countries confirming that they are free of the health conditions, including major organ failure (heart, lungs, liver, or kidneys); neurological or psychiatric disorders that impair cognition or are accompanied by severe motor disabilities; senility accompanied by dementia and high-risk pregnancy at any stage.
Other conditions listed by the Saudis are cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, biological, or radiological treatment and active infectious diseases with a public health impact such as tuberculosis and hemorrhagic fever)
On vaccination, the Saudi health authorities reiterated that all intending pilgrims must present valid certificates of vaccination against COVID-19, meningitis, polio, and yellow fever before entering the Kingdom.
The authorities insist that all pilgrims and Hajj workers must show proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 with vaccines approved by Saudi Arabia with the most recent dose must have been administered between 2021 and 2025, and at least two weeks before travel.
Every pilgrim, irrespective of their countries, the Saudis added must be vaccinated against Meningococcal Meningitis (ACWY), with the vaccine not more than five years and not less than ten days before arrival in Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi health authorities added that all travellers above nine months of age must present a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate upon entry.
To ensure effectiveness of the guidelines, Saudi authorities stated that they would conduct health screenings at all entry points to ensure compliance with the set requirements.
Any pilgrims who fail to meet these health standards may be denied entry, isolated, or subjected to further medical evaluation.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has emphasised 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.’ , the circular asserted.
The Kingdom also disclosed that additional measures might be taken if there were global disease outbreaks or international public health emergencies during or prior to the Hajj exercise, in coordination with the WHO.
Meanwhile, NAHCON has urged all Nigerian intending pilgrims to take note of the Saudi health requirements for next year’s Hajj exercise with a view to ensuring compliance.
‘Consequently, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) urges all intending pilgrims to take note of these requirements and ensure they complete the necessary vaccinations and health checks well ahead of the 2026 Hajj season.
‘Similarly, NAHCON and the State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Licensed Tour Operators will work together to enforce compliance as provided to avoid travel disruptions at the point of entry into the Kingdom for Hajj,’ stated NAHCON’s Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, Fatima Sanda Usara.