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Meningitis

Warning too late

From Mr M. M. Ahmed, MRPharmS

The Department of Health issued a warning in February that pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia for the Haj should receive quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine to protect them against the A, C, W135 and Y strains of the virus (l, February 17, p210). The Department also used posters in mosques. The warning, however, was issued too late to be of benefit to many pilgrims.

I travelled to the Haj on February 19. I found out about the new warning on February 11 and it took me, a pharmacist, seven days to organise a prescription and immunisation with the quadrivalent vaccine, partly because some GPs appeared not to be aware of the new advice. It would have been impossible to vaccinate all pilgrims with the quadrivalent vaccine in time. Pilgrims start travelling to Mecca as much as three months in advance of the Haj.

It is a requirement for entry to Saudi Arabia to have a meningococcal vaccination certificate before a visa can be issued. But since the consulate does not specify the name of the vaccine, Mengivac (A+C) is considered as acceptable as the quadrivalent vaccine. The Department of Health and the Saudi authorities should in future issue warnings well in advance of the Haj and should specify that quadrivalent vaccination is a requirement for entry to Mecca.

Mohammed Ahmed
Doncaster, South Yorkshire

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