Umrah pilgrims struggle with abrupt meningitis vaccination requirement amid shortage

Saudi-bound Umrah pilgrims and visit visa travellers are facing difficulties after Bangladesh made the meningitis vaccination mandatory for them, following Saudi Arabia's abruptly announced new policy.

On 20 January, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) issued a notice in this regard, which sparked protests as travellers are unable to secure vaccines from private hospitals.

According to the notice, Umrah and visit visa travellers must receive the meningitis vaccine at least 10 days before travelling to Saudi Arabia and carry the vaccination certificate. Children under one year are exempt. The directive will take effect on 10 February.

Farhad Hossain, director general of the Disease Control Unit at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), told TBS that the meningitis vaccine is mandatory for Hajj pilgrims, but the Saudi health ministry recently extended the requirement to Umrah pilgrims as well. 

The abrupt policy change led to protests from passengers. Approximately 300 people gathered outside Square Hospital in Dhaka's Panthapath area, blocking the road for two hours after being unable to obtain the vaccine.

They later moved to Probashi Kallyan Bhaban in the capital's Eskaton area, where the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment is located, to continue their protest.

Square Hospital Director Professor Wahiuddin Mahmood told TBS, "Around 8:30am today [21 January], Saudi-bound travellers began gathering in front of the hospital. However, we were unable to administer the vaccine as it ran out the previous day."

"This vaccine is imported from abroad, and there is currently a nationwide shortage. Radiant Pharma, the only company which imports the vaccine, has assured us that it will take a few days to replenish the stock. At the moment, there is little we can do."

The meningitis vaccine demand in Bangladesh is generally low and is not administered officially. It is available at select private hospitals.

Radiant Pharmaceuticals imports the Pfizer-made meningitis vaccine, while two local pharmaceutical companies also manufacture it at a low scale.

Md Nasser Shahrear Zahedee, chairman of Radiant Pharmaceuticals, told TBS, "We have been supplying as per normal demand, but with the increased demand, we immediately requested Pfizer to supply an additional 10,000 doses. The first batch of 5,000 doses will arrive in 4-5 days, and the remaining 5,000 will arrive in 10-15 days."

According to unofficial sources, around five lakh Bangladeshis travelled to Saudi Arabia in 2024 on Umrah and visit visas.

"If we had been informed two to three months ago, we would have made the necessary arrangements. It is challenging to secure enough vaccines for so many people. The price of our vaccine ranges from Tk3,500 to Tk4,000," Nasser added.

Md Monzurul Haque, joint secretary of the Hajj Branch at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, told TBS that Umrah pilgrims will need to take the vaccine on their own initiative. 

"While Hajj pilgrims receive the meningitis vaccine free of charge from the Ministry of Health, Umrah pilgrims will need to obtain the vaccine from private hospitals and secure the required certificate themselves," he said.

He also said that there is no official data on the current number of Umrah pilgrims. However, the number of Hajj pilgrims in the country is declining while the number of Umrah pilgrims is on the rise.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), meningitis is the inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It is usually caused by infection. It can be fatal and requires immediate medical care.

Meningitis can be caused by several species of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Most infections can be transmitted from person to person. Injuries, cancers and drugs cause a small number of cases.

Bacterial meningitis is the most common dangerous type of meningitis and can be fatal within 24 hours. Meningitis can affect people of any age. Vaccines offer the best protection against common types of bacterial meningitis.