The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

All Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims have been urged to take vaccinations against influenza (HINI) and seasonal influenza before their departure from the country.

"All the Hajj pilgrims will have to take two vaccinations, i,e one against influenza (HINI) and the other against seasonal influenza or at least one of them if the other is not available before their departure from Bangladesh, because that is pre-condition to get visa for Hajj," says a press release issued by the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia.

The press release said if the two vaccinations or any of them is not available, the Embassy should be informed immediately to conclude issuance of visa for Hajj without asking for submission of documents of the above-mentioned vaccinations, and that will be under responsibility of the Bangladesh government.

"To prevent children less than 12 years and elderly people more than 65 years from performing Hajj and Umrah is the responsibility of the concerned country," it said.

The press release said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stressed on the safety of guests of Allah going to perform Hajj this year. The Kingdom also emphahises on the need for creating awareness about the HINI to help prevent from spreading the diseases amongst the pilgrims by the will of Allah.

It said each Hajj and Umrah pilgrim and seasonal workers at the Hajj sites going from any country would have to take Meningococcal Meningitis Vaccination and medical authority of the concerned country must confirm that they have taken the above mentioned vaccination at least 10 days before and at best three years of their entry to the Kingdom.

Hajj visa will not be issued in favour of the people affiliated by heart disease, kidney disease, and disease of respiratory system, neuralgia and diabetes as well as shortage of immune naturally or caused by diseases and often repeated diseases, pregnant and excessive fatty people," the press release said.

It said the medical authority of the concerned country will have to make the Hajj pilgrims aware of the contagious disease with its kinds, symptoms, way of spreading and increasing and protection from it and in particular about epidemic of influenza.