What is meningitis, why is this vaccine mandatory for Umrah?

The Saudi Arabian government has made meningitis vaccination mandatory for Umrah pilgrims. This has led to a vaccine crisis in the country, which is worrying Umrah pilgrims. Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport authorities implemented this directive from last Monday. As a result, no one will be able to travel to Saudi Arabia without the vaccine.

Experts say that meningitis vaccines are mainly import-dependent. Although the country has only 4-5 thousand vaccines per year, the demand has suddenly increased due to the new directive.

Meanwhile, passengers have protested at various places in the capital, including Square Hospital, due to the shortage of vaccines. Importing companies have said that they are trying to import additional vaccines from Pfizer.

According to the Ministry of Religion, Umrah pilgrims will have to buy the vaccine on their own initiative. However, the Ministry of Health has not yet made a final decision on this matter.

Every year, millions of people from Bangladesh go to perform Umrah. The new guidelines have left many passengers' travel uncertain.