If you’ve had the meningitis ACWY vaccine before, you may not need another one for this trip. This page shows you how to check, using the rules Saudi Arabia applies at the border, and what to do if your certificate doesn’t make the cut. We give the meningitis ACWY vaccine and certificate at Evans Pharmacy in Malvern and Claines Pharmacy in Worcester.

The short answer

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health sets the same meningitis rule for Hajj and Umrah. Your vaccine counts if it falls inside the window for its type on the day you arrive.

That third card is where most people get caught out. Plenty of perfectly good conjugate vaccinations are written up without the type, and those certificates lose two years of validity on paper.

How to check your certificate

Find your certificate and look for four things:

If any of those are missing, bring the certificate to your appointment anyway. We’ll tell you whether it’s likely to be accepted or whether a new dose is the safer option.

Three common situations

The 10-day rule still applies

Validity is only half of it. If you need a new dose, it has to be given at least 10 days before you arrive in Saudi Arabia, or it doesn’t count for entry. Give yourself at least two weeks so there’s time to fit the appointment in.
For Hajj 2027 the deadline is earlier still. Pilgrims have to upload a medical certificate, including their vaccinations, to the Nusuk platform before a visa is issued, so the vaccine needs to be done before your visa application. Our guide to the Hajj 2027 medical certificate explains how that works.

Not sure your certificate counts? Bring it in and we’ll check it at your appointment. Book in Malvern or book in Worcester.

What our certificate includes

We use Nimenrix, a conjugate vaccine, and we record the vaccine type on your certificate, so it counts for the full five years. The certificate also carries your name as it appears on your passport, the vaccine name and batch, the date and our clinic’s stamp. It’s included in the price of the vaccine.
That five-year window often covers more than one trip. If you have Umrah in Ramadan 2027 and Hajj planned for a later year, one dose with the right certificate can cover both, as long as both trips fall inside the five years.

Children and families

The meningitis requirement applies to pilgrims aged one year and over. Bring the whole family to the same appointment and we’ll advise on the right vaccine for each child’s age and record each certificate correctly.

What it costs

Frequently asked questions

How long is the meningitis vaccine valid for Umrah?

Five years for a conjugate vaccine and three years for a polysaccharide vaccine, counted from the date you were vaccinated. If your certificate doesn’t state the type, Saudi Arabia treats it as valid for three years.

Is it the same for Hajj?

Yes. The meningitis ACWY rules are the same for Hajj and Umrah, including the 10-day rule and the certificate requirements.

My certificate doesn’t say conjugate. What should I do?

Bring it to your appointment. If it’s more than three years old and doesn’t state the type, it’s unlikely to be accepted, and a new dose with a complete certificate is usually the simplest answer.

I’ve lost my certificate. What now?

If you were vaccinated somewhere else, ask that clinic or your GP surgery for a copy. If there’s no record you can get hold of, a new dose is usually needed.

Is it safe to have another dose if I’m not sure?

We’ll look at your records and advise at your appointment. That decision is part of your consultation rather than something to guess at.

How far ahead should I book?

At least two weeks before you fly, so the 10-day rule is safely met. For Hajj 2027, book before your visa application.