Hajj 2026: Saudi Lists Mandatory Vaccines, Health Conditions for Pilgrims
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Hajj 2026: Saudi Lists Mandatory Vaccines, Health Conditions for Pilgrims
By Alabidun Shuaib Abdulrahman
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has released the 2026 Hajj health requirements and guidelines, outlining the medical and vaccination conditions that intending pilgrims must meet before embarking on the annual pilgrimage.
The new directive, issued for Hajj 1447 AH (2026) by the Saudi Ministry of Health, mandates that all pilgrims — including those from Nigeria — must be medically certified as fit to undertake the spiritual exercise.
According to the circular, as reported by National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), individuals suffering from severe heart, lung, or kidney diseases, advanced chronic illnesses, or mental and psychological disorders that could impair judgment or mobility will not be allowed to perform Hajj.
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The ministry also listed high-risk pregnancies, active infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and hemorrhagic fevers, and cancer patients undergoing treatment among the health conditions that disqualify intending pilgrims.
Saudi authorities stressed that every pilgrim must present valid certificates of vaccination against COVID-19, meningitis, polio, and yellow fever before being allowed entry into the Kingdom.
All pilgrims and Hajj workers must show proof of full vaccination with vaccines approved by Saudi Arabia, adding that the last dose must have been received between 2021 and 2025, and at least two weeks before travel.
Each pilgrim must be vaccinated not more than five years and not less than ten days before arriving in Saudi Arabia.
Also, pilgrims from Nigeria are required to take a dose of the Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV) or Oral Polio Vaccine (bOPV/novel OPV2) at least four weeks before travel. Proof must be recorded in the International Certificate of Vaccination (Yellow Card).
All travelers aged nine months and above must present a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate upon entry into Saudi Arabia.
To ensure compliance, the Saudi Ministry of Health announced that health screenings will be conducted at all points of entry.
Pilgrims who fail to meet the stated health or vaccination requirements may be denied entry, isolated, or subjected to medical evaluation.
“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 stated.
The directive added that Saudi authorities may introduce additional health measures if global disease outbreaks or public health emergencies occur before or during the Hajj, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).
Reacting to the development, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) urged intending pilgrims to comply with the new health requirements and complete all necessary vaccinations and medical screenings well ahead of the 2026 Hajj season.
The Commission assured that it would work closely with State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards and Licensed Tour Operators to enforce full compliance with the Saudi directive to prevent travel disruptions at entry points.
“Pilgrims must take these guidelines seriously to avoid denial of entry or other inconveniences at the Kingdom’s borders,” NAHCON said in a statement signed by its Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations, Fatima Sanda Usara.
She added that the measures were introduced to safeguard pilgrims’ health and ensure a safe and hitch-free Hajj exercise.
