294 Hajj Candidates From Kendari City Are Injected With Meningitis Vaccine

JAKARTA - A total of 294 prospective hajj pilgrims (calhaj) from Kendari City, Southeast Sulawesi (Sultra) have been vaccinated against meningitis before leaving for the Holy Land in Saudi Arabia, mid-June 2022.

The Head of the Hajj and Umrah Organizing Section at the Kendari City Ministry of Religion, Sunardin in Kendari, Wednesday, said that meningitis vaccination has been carried out since May 11, 2022 and ends May 17, 2022.

"From the previous quota for Kendari City which reached 500 pilgrims from the Southeast Sulawesi quota of 1,984 people, now there are only half of the quota and all the requirements to fulfill the five pillars of Islam, both rituals and vaccinations, have been carried out by all pilgrims," said Sunardin, Wednesday 18 May quoted from Antara.

In addition to the meningitis vaccine, he said, the Ministry of Religion is also ready to provide flu vaccines for those in need. However, unlike meningitis, the vaccine is voluntary and not mandatory.

Previously, the Head of the Hajj and Umrah Organizing Division (PHU) of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion of Southeast Sulawesi, Marni, M.Pd, said that all pilgrims had carried out complete vaccines since there was information from the central government since there was information on the reopening of Hajj departures in 2022.

"Although the number of pilgrims departing this year is only half of the previous quota, the guests of Allah are very grateful because it has been reopened for the departure of pilgrims to perform the pilgrimage in the Holy Land of Mecca and Medina," he said.

Currently, the stage of preparation for Hajj is being carried out, namely the preparation of the flight manifest.

Previously, the Port Health Office (KP) of Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi confirmed that the meningitis vaccination of prospective hajj pilgrims had been prepared long before their departure in June.

Head of Kendari KKP Laode Muhammad Hajar Dony said that the meningitis vaccination of prospective hajj pilgrims is ready to be carried out before departing in June which will be carried out in each city district.

He said that his party also routinely monitors and provides assistance in administering vaccines to other relevant agencies or institutions, including the legality of the meningitis vaccine used.

"The CTF is monitoring and assisting in its implementation, including the legality of the vaccines issued," said Laode Muhammad Hajar Dony.