The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 267 No 7173 p667-671
10 November 2001

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Encourage immunisation for Haj now

A new campaign highlights the need for pilgrims going to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to the Haj in February 2002 to be immunised against meningitis.

The Department of Health campaign is urging travellers to allow sufficient time to have the immunisation and to allow it to become fully effective before travel. Professor Liam Donaldson, chief medical officer for England, says: "Meningitis is a serious threat to those travelling to the Haj and to their families and friends who are at risk of being infected by them when they return."

In the past two years, outbreaks of W135 meningococcal disease have occurred in pilgrims returning from the Haj. Following the 2001 pilgrimage, 38 cases of W135 infection were identified in United Kingdom residents and 10 people died. Therefore, the Department recommends that pilgrims are given the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine (ACWY Vax) in order to gain protection against the A, C, W135 and Y strains of meningitis.

The Saudi Arabian government has now made this vaccination a visa requirement and pilgrims might be refused entry into the country if they cannot show a vaccination certificate. People who have previously been immunised with other meningitis vaccines need to have the quadrivalent vaccine, although a gap of two weeks should be allowed between vaccines. It advises that pilgrims should book an appointment with their general practitioner at least three weeks before travel. Other health advice offered by the leaflet includes taking an umbrella and sun screen to protect against the sun, drinking plenty of clean water and taking sufficient supplies of long-term medications with them.

An estimated 50,000 people travel from England to Mecca each year on the Haj pilgrimage.

The Department of Health is distributing multilingual leaflets and posters highlighting the need for immunisation against meningitis. The leaflets will primarily be distributed through mosques and specialist travel agents but pharmacists can request copies from the Department of Health, PO Box 777, London SE1 6XH, fax 01623 724 524, e-mail doh@prolog.uk.com. The leaflet is also available on the Department's website.

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