|
Vaccination against contagious diseases compulsory -- official |
|
News -
Health
|
|
Saturday, 07 November 2009 23:10 |
|
Pilgrims heading to the holy land are compelled to get vaccinations against infectious diseases, a Kuwaiti official affirmed on Saturday.
Musaed Al-Attiah, in charge of the pharmacy ward of the Infectious Diseases Hospital, said in a statement Saudi authorities will not allow entry of any pilgrim who had not taken vaccinations against these diseases.
People planning to perform the religious services during the hajj season must report to their doctors to inquire about latest guidelines with regard of the health precautions and the vaccinations, he said.
Advice of doctors should be also sought to establish whether the pilgrim is physically capable of tolerating hardships during the performance of the services, Al-Attiah added.
Vaccinations should be taken 10 days ahead of travelling because they need such a period of time to be effective, he explained.
Pilgrims should be vaccinated against seasonal influenza because it infects a large number of the pilgrims and causes fatigue, Al-Attiah said, affirming that the vaccination against the swine flu is optional.
Meanwhile, the undersecretary of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs for technical coordination, Mutleg Al-Qarawi, said in a press statement that the ministry is sparing no effort to support organizers of hajj expeditions.
He indicated at a ministerial resolution to merge the Kuwaiti groups at Mount Arafa to alleviate financial burden, suffered by the leaders of these expeditions. He added that he had asked the cabinet to allocate 3.5 million Saudi riyals for supporting the organizers of the hajj groups. - Kuna
|
