Travel Health Pro

Hajj & Umrah Pilgrimage Vaccinations

We have plenty of experience vaccinating pilgrims travelling to perform Hajj and Umrah and our clinics are among those recommended by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB). We can vaccinate you for Meningitis ACWY and give you the certificate required by Saudi Arabia for the visa. Many of our staff have performed Hajj and are well placed to discuss questions you may have about your pilgrimage.

What vaccines do you need for Hajj & Umrah?

MENINGITIS ACWY

In order to obtain a visa for entry into Saudi Arabia, all those arriving to perform Hajj or Umra, or undertake seasonal work, are required to have a valid certificate of vaccination against meningococcal disease.

All adults and children aged over two years should be given a single dose of the meningococcal ACWY vaccine:

• Conjugate ACWY vaccine – given not more than five years and not less than ten days before arrival in Saudi Arabia

At Green Light, we always use the Conjugate vaccine as this provides better and longer protection against Meningitis ACWY.

POLIO

Pilgrims & seasonal workers coming from the UK are recommended to have the polio vaccination, which is combined with diphtheria and tetanus and provides protection for up to 10 years. However, proof of vaccination against polio within the last 12 months is required for pilgrims & seasonal workers arriving from:

• Afghanistan, Pakistan & Nigeria
• Countries which remain vulnerable to polio [see Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health page https://www.moh.gov.sa/en/hajj/pages/healthregulations.aspx ]

YELLOW FEVER

All pilgrims to Hajj &Umrah arriving from countries at risk for transmission of yellow fever must produce a valid certificate documenting yellow fever vaccination. The following countries are deemed to be at risk of yellow fever transmission:

Africa:

Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, The Republic of South Soudan, Togo and Uganda.

Americas:

Argentina, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Bolivia, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago.

SEASONAL FLU

The Ministry of Health for Saudi Arabia recommend that pilgrims are vaccinated against seasonal flu with the most recently available vaccine. Hajj &Umrah pose an increased risk due to the crowded conditions and close contact.Vaccination is strongly recommended for those who are at increased risk of severe disease including:

• Pregnant women
• Elderly individuals (>65 years)
• Those with pre-existing medical conditions

The flu vaccine is available for free under the NHS for the above, so please check with your local Green Light pharmacist.

HEPATITIS A

Hepatitis A is a viral infection transmitted through contaminated food and water or by direct contact with an infectious person.

HEPATITIS B

Hepatitis B virus is found in body fluids and can be transmitted through the skin by the use of contaminated medical, dental, or other instruments.

One of the rites of Hajj is for men to have their head shaved. The Saudi authorities provide licensed barbers with a new blade to use for each pilgrim. However, unlicensed barbers may not conform to this standard. Pilgrims should avoid shaving with a blade previously used by another, as this could result in transmission of hepatitis B and other blood borne infections such as hepatitis C, for which there is no vaccine. Pilgrims can consider taking with them a disposable razor for personal use during this rite.

All pilgrims should consider receiving hepatitis B vaccine prior to travel.

MMR

All pilgrims should ensure that they are up-to-date with routine immunisations including measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). Pilgrims should check this with their GP surgery and if they are not vaccinated, they should complete the primary course (2 vaccines) before pilgrimage to Hajj & Umrah.


How much does it cost?

What other health risks are there?

MALARIA

Malaria is not present in Medina or Makkah [Mecca] (or in the cities of Jeddah, Riyadh and Ta’if or areas of Asir province above 2,000m), but malaria is a risk in the south-western provinces of Saudi Arabia (including Asir province below 2,000m). Pilgrims planning further travel before or after Hajj or Umra to malaria risk areas in Saudi Arabia or Asia, Africa and Latin America, should seek advice from their local Green Light Pharmacist.

TRAVELLERS’ DIARRHOEA

Dehydration can occur with diarrhoea and is of particular risk in hot weather. Babies, infants, the elderly and those with long-term medical conditions are more vulnerable to dehydration.

All pilgrims are advised to take personal, food and water hygiene precautions.

Travellers should also take with them oral rehydration therapy and self-treatment for diarrhoea. Standby antibiotic treatment can be considered, especially for those travellers who have an underlying medical condition.Please ask your local Green Light Pharmacist for more information.

NEW SHINGLES VACCINE – SHINGRIX (BEST PRICE IN LONDON)

We have a limited supply of the new Shingles vaccine – Shingrix, which is manufactured by GSK. The vaccine is not available in the UK and has been specifically imported from the EU. Globally, this vaccine is in extremely short supply and it is unlikely that supply of vaccine will meet demand for a number of years. The vaccine is authorized in all EU member states but has only been able to launch it in 3 countries so far as supply cannot meet demand. This is even the case in the US, where Shingrix was first launched in late 2017. There is unlikely to be a NHS program for it in the near future.

How to secure your booking for Shingrix

Due to the limited availability of the vaccine, we must charge you for the full course when booking your first appointment (this must be done over the phone or in person). We believe we offer the best price for Shingrix on the market. The cost is £225 per dose (£450 for the full course of 2 vaccines given two to six months apart) and we don’t charge any other fees!

To book an appointment at your closest Green Light branch, please click here.

Reference:https://ja.ma/2mIwrVw

What is Shingles?

Shingles is a painful, blistering rash that usually appears on one side of the body. It is caused by reactivation of the virus that causes Chickenpox [Varicella Zoster] and can lead to persistent pain in the site of blistering and scarring.

How do you get Shingles?

Once you have had Chickenpox, the virus [Varicella Zoster] stays in your body within the nerve cells. The virus can be reactivated in the future, usually at times of body stress or infection to cause Shingles. It is estimated that the risk of getting Shingles is 1 in 4 over your lifetime. Although Shingles can occur at any age, it is most common over 50 years.

What are the complications of Shingles?

Shingles can be a serious infection that can cause several complications. These include:

• Post Herpetic Neuralgia – this is long lasting nerve pain that can persist at the site of infection. The pain can be described as shooting, burning or like electric shocks and can be extremely debilitating. There is no cure for this and this pain can persist for months or even years after infection with Shingles has resolved.
• Visual disturbances or loss of vision that can be caused by shingles infection in the eye
• Encephalitis or Meningitis – these are conditions where there is inflammation of the brain or lining of the brain

What vaccines are available against Shingles?

There are now two types of vaccination available to protect against Shingles. Zostavax, the live Shingles vaccine used currently by the NHS (for selected individuals), is a single-dose vaccine. Shingrix, the new non-live recombinant Shingles vaccine, requires 2 doses given 2-6 months apart. This is not currently available on the NHS and is unlikely to be in the near future.

What are the differences between the old live Shingles vaccine and new non-live Shingles vaccine?

Although the live Shingles vaccine is a single dose, it can reduce the risk of shingles by 51%, post-herpetic neuralgia by 67%, and the overall burden of illness by 61%. The live Shingles vaccine also becomes less effective the older one gets, and the effectiveness reduces approximately 10 years after vaccination.

The new non-live Shingles vaccine requires two doses 2 to 6 months apart, and has a substantially higher efficacy than the live vaccine, reducing risk of shingles by 97%. Initial studies suggest a single dose does not produce a robust immune response, therefore attendance for both doses is important to ensure continued immunity. Unlike the live Shingles vaccine, the efficacy of new non-live Shingles vaccine is high even for patients over 70.

The new non-live shingles vaccine might carry a greater risk of side effects (non-serious) at injection sites such as pain, redness and swelling. Side effects of the new non-live shingles vaccine are more frequent after the second dose than after the first.

The new non-live shingles vaccine is safe and effective in patients previously vaccinated with the live shingles vaccine.

Can the new non-live Shingles vaccine be given to anyone with a compromised immune system?

Unlike the old live Shingles vaccine, Shingrix, the new non-non live vaccine can be given to those who have compromised immune systems. Those who are immunocompromised, such as those with cancers or HIV infection, or those taking immunosuppressive medicines such as steroids are at greater risk of developing Shingles. The old live Shingles vaccine, Zostavax, cannot be given to those who are immunocompromised.

I have had shingles infection; can I receive the new non-live Shingles vaccine?

Yes, if you have had shingles infection in the past you can have the new non-live Shingles vaccine to help prevent any future occurrences. There is no official recommendation on when to receive the vaccine but it is best to wait until the shingles rash as disappeared before starting the vaccination course.

I received the old live Shingles vaccine. Can I still have the new non-live Shingles vaccine?

Yes, if you have received the old live Shingles vaccine, either privately or on the NHS, you are able to have 2 doses of the new Shingles vaccine.

Can anyone have the new non-live Shingles vaccine?

The vaccine is licensed to adults over 50 years and there is no upper age limit for either vaccine. The new non-live Shingles vaccine provides much higher protection in all age groups, especially in those over 70 years.

Will there be any side effects from the new non-live Shingles vaccine?

There are some mild side effects following vaccination with the new Shingles vaccines. These include:

• Sore arm
• Redness and/or swelling at the injection site
• Headache, tiredness & fatigue (general cold & flu like symptoms)

These side effects typically last 2 or 3 days, unlike pain from Shingles which can last a lifetime after infection.

I feel healthy; am I really at risk of shingles?

Around 99% of the population have had chickenpox, the virus that if reactivated causes shingles. It is estimated that 1 in 4 people will develop shingles in their lifetime, a risk that increases as we get older. No matter how healthy you feel, as your immune system declines with age, you are at an increased risk for shingles.

How much do the shingles vaccines cost?

Zostavax (old live vaccine)
The cost of this vaccine is £135 – 1 dose required

Shingrix (new non-live vaccine)
The cost of this vaccine is £225 per dose – 2 doses required 2-6 months apart. We require pre-payment for the full course when booking due to the limited supply of this vaccine.

We believe these are the best prices on offer across London for either Shingles vaccine. Don’t miss out and get in touch now!

We have clinics at our pharmacies in the following locations with the usual day and times as follows. Please contact the branch directly to book your appointment.

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