By Adesina Quadri Ademola,
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has released its comprehensive health requirements and medical guidelines for the 2026 Hajj season (1447 AH), outlining stringent measures for all intending pilgrims across the world, including Nigeria.
According to a circular issued by the Saudi Ministry of Health, only pilgrims who are medically fit and free from life-threatening or contagious diseases will be allowed to participate in the sacred pilgrimage. The guidelines, which serve as both preventive and control measures, emphasise the protection of pilgrims’ health and the prevention of disease outbreaks during the Hajj.
The circular noted that all countries must ensure their citizens are physically and mentally sound before embarking on the journey, adding that individuals suffering from major organ failure — including heart, lung, liver, or kidney diseases — as well as those with neurological or psychiatric disorders, advanced chronic illnesses, high-risk pregnancies, or active infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and haemorrhagic fever, will not be permitted to travel.
The Kingdom stressed that medical fitness certificates issued by authorised medical bodies in each country must accompany all pilgrims’ travel documents. These certificates, it said, would be thoroughly scrutinised at all Saudi ports of entry.
Mandatory Vaccinations
Saudi health authorities reaffirmed that proof of vaccination remains a non-negotiable condition for entry. The circular lists four mandatory vaccines for all intending pilgrims and Hajj workers:
COVID-19: Pilgrims must show evidence of full vaccination with vaccines approved by Saudi Arabia. The most recent dose must have been taken between 2021 and 2025, at least two weeks before travel.
Meningococcal Meningitis (ACWY): All pilgrims are required to be vaccinated not more than five years and not less than ten days prior to arrival in the Kingdom.
Polio: Nigerian pilgrims are mandated to receive a dose of either the Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV) or Oral Polio Vaccine (bOPV/novel OPV2) at least four weeks before departure. Proof of vaccination must be recorded in the International Certificate of Vaccination (Yellow Card).
Yellow Fever: Travellers aged nine months and above must present a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate at the point of entry.
Health Screening and Enforcement
To ensure compliance, Saudi health officials will conduct medical screenings at all air, sea, and land entry points. Pilgrims who fail to meet the stipulated health standards may be denied entry, isolated, or subjected to further medical evaluation.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah warned that “no pilgrim suffering from any listed disease will be allowed to travel”, adding that health certificates will be verified both before departure and upon arrival in the Kingdom.
The Saudi government also indicated that additional preventive measures could be introduced should global outbreaks or public health emergencies arise before or during the 2026 pilgrimage, in line with World Health Organization (WHO) protocols.
NAHCON Cautions Nigerian Pilgrims
In response to the Saudi directive, the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) urged all intending Nigerian pilgrims to comply strictly with the outlined medical and vaccination requirements.
Fatima Sanda Usara, Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations at NAHCON, in a statement, advised prospective pilgrims to undergo early health screenings and complete all required vaccinations well ahead of time.
She said the Commission, in collaboration with State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards and licensed tour operators, will enforce full adherence to the guidelines to avoid travel disruptions and ensure smooth processing at Saudi entry points.
The 2026 Hajj, expected to attract millions of Muslims from across the globe, will thus proceed under heightened health scrutiny aimed at safeguarding the wellbeing of all participants.
