Umrah Vaccination Singapore - What You Need to Know
Going on Umrah is an important spiritual trip, but it also means you have to plan for your health. Umrah is a pilgrimage to Mecca that can be performed any time of year, so pilgrims often travel outside of the main Hajj season. However, the gatherings during Umrah can still be very large, and the rules for health are essentially the same. Millions of pilgrims from all over the world come together during Umrah, and this makes it easy for infections like meningitis or the flu. Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself against these risks. In fact, Singapore’s Ministry of Health explicitly advises that pilgrims going for Umrah follow the same vaccine guidelines as those going for Hajj. In this article we cover each required and recommended vaccine and explain how to arrange them in Singapore.
It can be confusing to figure out exactly which shots are needed. The Saudi government requires that pilgrims receive three specific vaccines before travel: the meningococcal ACWY vaccine, the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine, and the COVID-19 vaccine. (This applies whether you go for Hajj or Umrah)
Mandatory Vaccinations for Umrah Pilgrims
Meningococcal ACWY: This vaccine protects against four strains of meningitis (A, C, W, Y) that can spread easily in crowded conditions. An outbreak of meningitis once occurred during Hajj, which is one reason Saudi now requires this shot for every pilgrim. It is required for all pilgrims by the Saudi health authorities. Make sure you get it at least 10 days before your flight to meet entry rules. Even if you feel healthy, it’s possible to carry the bacteria asymptomatically. The vaccine helps ensure you won’t become a carrier or fall ill.
Influenza (Flu): The seasonal flu vaccine is also mandatory for Singaporean pilgrims. Influenza can sweep through large gatherings and even cause serious complications. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly recommends that Hajj and Umrah pilgrims get the seasonal flu shot. You should have the flu shot any time in the 12 months before departure so that you’re fully covered for your trip. Singapore also provides subsidies for flu vaccines under various healthcare schemes, making it more affordable.
COVID-19: Current travel rules require pilgrims to be covered for COVID-19. In practice this means having at least one updated dose of a COVID-19 vaccine for the current pilgrimage season, or having completed a full primary series (two shots of the original vaccine, or equivalent). If you recovered from a confirmed COVID infection in 2024, that can also meet the requirement. Singaporeans have easy access to boosters, so getting the shot should be straightforward and free.
These three vaccines are the core requirements. You should plan to get them well before travel – Singapore’s Ministry of Health recommends consulting a doctor about 4–6 weeks in advance – so that any multi-dose series can be completed and you have time to recover from any side effects. (For example, if you need two doses of the meningococcal vaccine, schedule them several weeks apart.) Keep all your vaccination certificates on hand, as Saudi border control may ask for both printed and digital records.
Other Recommended Vaccinations
In addition to the mandatory shots, health experts recommend a few more vaccines for travelers. For example, pilgrims aged 65 and above or those with chronic conditions are advised to have a pneumococcal vaccine to prevent pneumonia. Pneumonia is a serious illness for older adults, and Singapore’s schedule includes this as a standard shot. Singapore’s authorities also remind everyone to stay up to date on other routine vaccinations like measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus, hepatitis B, chickenpox, and polio. These are not required by Saudi, but catching one of these diseases abroad would ruin your trip.
Some pilgrims also consider extra vaccines:
Hepatitis A: Recommended if you’ll be exposed to local food or water.
Typhoid: Recommended for travel in areas with uncertain food hygiene.
These shots can add an extra layer of protection against food-borne illness. (Singaporeans may have started Hepatitis A in childhood, but if not, ask your doctor.) Also note: travelers from polio-endemic regions must show polio vaccination – not an issue for most Singaporeans, but worth noting if you have spent time in such countries. One thing you don’t need is malaria medication for Umrah. Saudi Arabia is malaria-free, so taking anti-malarial pills would just add unnecessary side effects.
Special Cases: Children and Pregnancy
If you're traveling with children or if you are pregnant, take special care. Children older than 2 should get the same mandatory vaccines (meningitis and flu) as adults. Infants and very young children usually don’t need these shots, but check with a pediatrician. Pregnant women should definitely consult their doctor before travel: flu and tetanus shots are generally safe in pregnancy, but live vaccines (like MMR or chickenpox) are avoided. In all cases, plan early and get medical advice well before the trip.
Travel Health Tips (Beyond Vaccines)
Don’t stop at vaccines – your personal health habits also make a difference. The Ministry of Health advises pilgrims with any major medical conditions (diabetes, heart disease, kidney issues, etc.) to talk to a doctor before traveling. If you have a heart or lung condition, make sure it’s well-managed and you have enough of your regular medications. Stay well-hydrated and get plenty of rest as your travel date approaches. Saudi Arabia can be very hot. Make sure to drink plenty of water and wear a hat.
Once you arrive, practice good hygiene: wash or sanities your hands frequently (especially before meals) and avoid touching your face. Eat only food that is fully cooked, and drink sealed bottled water. Do not consume raw camel milk or undercooked meat, as these can carry bacteria or even viruses like MERS. The MOH also advises avoiding close contact with anyone who appears ill. These common-sense measures, together with your vaccines, will greatly reduce your risk of getting sick.
When to Get Vaccinated
You should complete all these vaccines well before flying to Saudi Arabia. Ideally, arrange your travel health check-up around 4–6 weeks before departure. That allows time to get any needed follow-up doses and to let your body recover between shots. (For example, if you need two doses of the meningococcal vaccine, schedule them several weeks apart.) At Alami Clinic we can help plan your schedule so that you get multiple vaccines in one visit. Planning early also means you can space them out – for example, you might get meningitis and flu first, then a COVID booster a few weeks later. Minor side effects (like a sore arm or low-grade fever) are common and fade quickly, but build in a buffer so you’re fully ready on travel day.
Consider this sample timeline:
2–3 months before travel: Book a travel consultation. Discuss which vaccines and tests you need, and check that your routine immunizations are current.
6–8 weeks before travel: Get your first set of vaccines (for example, first dose of meningitis, the flu shot, etc.).
4–6 weeks before travel: Complete any booster doses or second shots.
1–2 weeks before travel: Double-check that you have all your vaccine certificates and that you’re healthy and ready for the trip.
Where to Get Vaccinations in Singapore
All the vaccines mentioned are available at public polyclinics as well as private GP clinics. You can also visit a specialized travel clinic like Alami, Thomson Medical or ParkwayHealth. Travel clinics (like Alami) are convenient one-stop choices: our team updates your records, gives all needed shots, and issues certificates on the spot. No matter where you go, book at least 4–6 weeks before departure. This gives you time to complete any vaccine series without rush.
After Your Trip
It’s easy to forget about health once you’re back home, but some travel-related illnesses can appear days or even weeks after Umrah. If you develop any new symptoms (persistent cough, fever, diarrhea, etc.) after your return, see a doctor and mention that you were on pilgrimage. At Alami Clinic we offer post-travel health checks. We can examine you for any infections or issues that might have cropped up during your trip, and make sure you recover fully. Our goal is to keep you healthy before, during and after your trip.
Why Alami Clinic Can Help
At Alami Clinic we focus on keeping older adults healthy, so we often help senior pilgrims get ready for travel. Our team includes geriatricians who understand age-related health needs. We do full pre-travel health assessments, manage chronic conditions, and even provide telemedicine support so you can reach a doctor while abroad. Importantly, we offer all the relevant vaccines in our clinic. You can get your flu shot, COVID booster, meningococcal vaccine, and pneumonia shots all in one visit. We can do all this at our clinic or even at home for an extra $90.
Our packages make planning easy. For example, we have senior vaccination bundles that include flu, pneumonia and zoster shots in one visit. Couples and family bundles are available too – our flu shot bundle for a family of four costs just $124.
If you’re going with family or friends, Alami has you covered. Our family flu vaccination bundles (4 people for $124) make it easy for everyone in your group to get protected at once. You can even get vaccinated at home if that’s more convenient. Just contact us in advance and we'll arrange the rest.
Don’t skip your Umrah vaccinations – each shot protects you and others. Once you’ve had your vaccines, you can focus on the pilgrimage itself. If you need help scheduling, contact Alami Clinic and we will make sure you are ready for the trip.