Ministry announces mandatory vaccination requirements for Hajj 2026 pilgrims from Qatar

Hajj 2026

On 22 April 2026, and as part of the ministry's efforts to protect the health and safety of pilgrims to the Holy Mosque in Makkah throughout Hajj season, and news for visitors to Prophet's mosque here at Madinah, The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) announced its vaccination requirements for Hajj 1447H/2026 service. The steps are intended to enable pilgrims to carry out their rituals securely as well as mitigate the risks of infectious diseases and its repercussions.

All pilgrims this year are required to be vaccinated with the quadrivalent meningococcal (ACYW135) vaccine according to the Ministry.

COVID-19 vaccine is compulsory for high-risk groups, which include pilgrims aged over 65, pregnant women and chronic-condition patients with chronic heart or lung diseases, or more severe forms of chronic kidney failure; hereditary blood disorders (sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia); congenital or acquired immunodeficiency (such as those on immunosuppressive treatment for cancer) and chronic neurological disease

The Ministry also recommends that all individuals aged (18) and above take the COVID-19 vaccine, in addition to advising pilgrims of both sexes should receive seasonal influenza vaccine.

It also provides optional vaccines to prevent these complications for the elderly and other persons at high risk. Others are the pneumococcal vaccine for 65 years and above, but also as well among those aged 18 to 64 with chronic diseases and risk factors such diabetes, sickle cell anaemia, kidney failure, immunodeficiency, splenectomy and chronic respiratory or cardiovascular diseases as smokers. The Ministry already recommended other immunizations for people over 60 years old, seasonal vaccine and RSV vaccine.

All necessary Hajj vaccinations are provided at the primary healthcare centres nationwide. The Ministry stresses that it is very necessary to take the obligatory vaccines 10 days prior to travelling to Saudi Arabia.

The Ministry of Public Health urges all pilgrims from the State of Qatar to follow the preventive measures in place and take the relevant vaccinations for their health and safety. Preventing the transmission of infectious diseases by hand-to-face contact with germs transmitted through physical touch or contaminated surfaces is critical. The Hajj and Umrah seasons involve high crowding levels providing a conducive environment for infection transmission; thus, minimising exposure should be practised when it is feasible.

The Ministry advises people with chronic diseases to take advice from a doctor well in advance of travel and also make sure they have enough medicines for the entire period of travel.

The Pilgrim's Health Guide has been published by the Ministry of Public Health, in cooperation with the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Qatar Red Crescent. This guide contains important health, preventive and educational guidelines to adhere to prior to, during and after performing Hajj rituals. The Pilgrim's Health Guide can be found on the Ministry of Public Health website.

The Ministry of Public Health reaffirms its commitment to put all necessary and precautionary measures to protect the health and safety of the Qatari pilgrims. This is in line with the National Health Strategy 2024–2030, which focuses on removing barriers to disease prevention through encouraging required vaccinations.