Government Requires Polio Vaccines For Hajj Pilgrims Starting 2025

Illustration of the Atmosphere of the Grand Mosque, Makkah, Saudi Arabia, during the implementation of the pilgrimage. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The government provides polio vaccines for all pilgrims for regular Hajj candidates and hajj officers, as a follow-up to Saudi Arabia's policy of requiring polio vaccination as of March 2025 for travelers from Indonesia.

Head of the Hajj Center of the Ministry of Health, Liliek Marhaendro Susilo, said that in addition to the meningitis vaccine, which has become a mandatory requirement so far, starting this year, polio vaccination is also mandatory.

"The rules are aimed at countries that have experienced polio cases in the past year," said Liliek, quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, April 17.

In the same statement, the Director of Immunization of the Ministry of Health Prima Yosephine said that as a follow-up to Saudi Arabia's policy, the government has prepared vaccines for all pilgrims for regular Hajj candidates and Hajj officers. As for special Umrah pilgrims and pilgrims, he said, vaccinations were carried out independently.

"The type of vaccine used is 1 dose of Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV), and given no later than 2 to 4 weeks before departure to Saudi Arabia," said Prima.

He said this IPV vaccine can be given in conjunction with other vaccines such as the meningitis vaccine meningokokus, influenza, and COVID-19.

Polyomyelitis (polyo) is an infectious disease caused by the polio virus and attacks the nervous system. In some cases, Prima said, infection can cause paralysis and even death in a short time.

"Polyos can attack anyone regardless of age. Until now there has not been found a cure for this disease, and vaccination is the most effective way to prevent its transmission," Prima said.