Meningitis ACWY

Cases of meningitis and septicaemia caused by meningococcal group W bacteria are rising due to a particularly deadly strain of the Meningitis W bacteria. Meningitis W can be prevented by a single injection into the upper arm with the Meningitis ACWY vaccine which protects against four different types of meningitis: A, C, W and Y.

The Meningitis ACWY vaccine is currently recommended for people at increased risk of meningococcal disease, including people with no spleen or a spleen that doesn’t work properly, for Hajj or Umrah pilgrims, and for travellers to countries with high rates of meningococcal disease, including parts of Africa and Latin America.

Hajj visa requirement

Pilgrims to Saudi Arabia are especially at risk of contracting meningococcal infection. There have been outbreaks in recent years. A proof of immunisation is needed to obtain a visa to go to Saudi Arabia for this purpose.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a type of hepatitis, a viral infection which can cause damage to the liver. The hepatitis B virus is usually transmitted from person to person via blood or body fluids or when using unsterilised medical equipment, or getting a tattoo or piercing in a high-risk country.

Possible hepatitis B symptoms are feeling or being sick, tiredness and headache as well as flu-like symptoms. Some patients also develop a yellowing of skin and eyes, which is called jaundice. The infection can persist for a long time and become chronic hepatitis B, resulting in liver damage and failure.

This vaccine involves a course of 3 injections. You should get the hepatitis B vaccination if you are travelling to high-risk areas like Africa, Asia or South America.