Indonesia
The Importance of Vaccines for Umrah and Haji
Hello Hermina friends, the Indonesian Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) issued Circular Number HK.02.02/A/3717/2024 concerning the Implementation of Meningitis Vaccination for Hajj and Umrah Pilgrims. This circular contains provisions that meningococcal meningitis vaccination is mandatory for those coming to Saudi Arabia using Hajj and Umrah visas.
Referring to “Umrah Health Requirements and Recommendations for Travelers to Saudi Arabia for Umrah – 1445 H (2024)”, it is written that the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia issued a document to discuss health requirements and recommendations for visitors traveling to Saudi Arabia for the purpose of Umrah 1445 H ( 2024 AD).
Implementation of meningitis vaccination as an effort to protect the health of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. According to the contents of the latest Indonesian Ministry of Health circular, Hajj and Umrah pilgrims who have comorbidities really need to be paid attention to and meningitis vaccination can provide protection from meningococcal disease.
Getting to Know Meningococcal Meningitis
Meningococcal meningitis is meningitis caused by infection with the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. This bacteria generally causes ARI, but if it enters the bloodstream and is carried to the brain, it can cause meningitis.
N. meningitis bacteria are transmitted through saliva splashes, for example when a sufferer sneezes or coughs, which are then inhaled by other people. There is a greater risk of spread among people who gather in close proximity, such as Hajj or Umrah pilgrims.
After contracting meningococcal meningitis, sufferers can experience symptoms within 2-10 days. Some of the symptoms are:
- High fever
- Stiff neck
- Dizziness and headache
- Reddish rash on the skin
- Easy to feel dazzled
- Nauseous vomit
- Seizures
- Confusion or decreased consciousness (coma)
If not treated immediately, meningococcal meningitis has the risk of causing serious complications, such as brain damage, blindness, deafness, sepsis, and even death.
Important Vaccines for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims
The meningitis vaccine is important because it aims to stimulate the body's immune system to form antibodies and fight the bacteria that cause meningitis. This vaccine is able to protect the body from various types of diseases caused by Neisseria meningitidis, a type of bacteria that causes meningitis.
Come on, don't forget to get the menitis vaccine. Hermina Bitung Hospital provides menitis vaccine for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. If you get symptoms of meningitis, you can go to an internal medicine doctor, Dr. Lingga Ramot Gumelar, SpPD
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