Saudi Arabia will not make it imperative for all pilgrims and visitors to the country to be vaccinated against swine flu during the Haj and Umrah seasons, a top official of the Ministry of Health said.
"This is no longer required for pilgrims or visitors," undersecretary of the ministry
Ziyad Mimish said.
The ministry had recommended to the Ministry of Haj last year that Haj and Umrah visas should only be granted after pilgrims showed proof of being vaccinated against swine flu and that visitors under 12 and above 60 as well as pregnant women should not be allowed to perform the pilgrimage.
"There is no change in other health conditions, including the rule that pilgrims should be vaccinated against yellow fever and meningitis," he was quoted by the local media as saying.
The Haj ministry issues its annual Haj instructions based on the Health Ministry's recommendations.