KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health has announced new health requirements for travelers planning to perform umrah or visit the Prophet’s Mosque in 2025 (1446 AH), following guidance from Saudi Arabian authorities.
In a press statement issued this week, the ministry stated that all adults and children aged one year or older must receive the quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (ACYW-135) and present a vaccination certificate confirming they were vaccinated at least 10 days before their arrival in Saudi Arabia.
To understand the significance of these measures, Kuwait Times interviewed a public health specialist in preventive medicine and infectious diseases at a public hospital. The specialist stressed the importance of vaccination in preventing meningitis, a serious condition caused by inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include high fever, neck stiffness, seizures, and skin rash, said the specialist. He noted that while fatalities are relatively rare, the disease can cause severe complications, including paralysis.
The meningococcal ACWY vaccine protects against meningococcal disease caused by serogroups A, C, W, and Y. There is also a separate meningococcal vaccine available to protect against serogroup B. Both vaccines work by prompting the body to produce antibodies to protect against the disease.
The specialist highlighted that vaccination is particularly vital during high-risk periods, such as large gatherings, where the potential for outbreaks — defined as faster or more widespread transmission — is elevated. Crowded settings like umrah significantly increase this risk of catching the disease, transmitted through droplets released from the nose and mouth.
He also explained that the antibodies against the meningococcal bacteria take between 10 to 15 days to develop after vaccination. Traveling before this period has passed poses a risk, as the person may still be susceptible to contracting the disease.
Regarding vaccine side effects, the specialist noted that they are generally mild, including localized redness or soreness at the injection site and, occasionally, minor body aches. Additionally, he recommended wearing masks in crowded areas and practicing good hygiene to further reduce the risk of infection.
The ministry clarified that vaccination certificates are valid for three years when the polysaccharide vaccine is used and five years for the conjugate vaccine, reflecting the respective durations of protection provided by each vaccine, as the specialist confirmed. Vaccines are readily available at all preventive health centers and traveler clinics in Kuwait during official working hours to facilitate access for travelers.