JEDDAH: The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said that full immunization with one of the approved COVID19- vaccines are still required for those planning to perform Hajj this year.
The confirmation comes less than 24 hours after the Saudi authorities announced the lifting of various COVID-19 preventative measures, including the requirement to wear face masks in closed places.
For Hajj 1443H, pilgrims must be under 65 years of age and have received COVID-19 vaccinations approved by the Saudi Ministry of Health.
Pilgrims from outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia must submit a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of the time of departure to Saudi Arabia.
The ministry reaffirmed that all those intending to perform Hajj this year must have completed their immunization program with one of the COVID-19 vaccines approved by the Public Health Authority.
The Kingdom of Saudia Arabia Ministry of Health announced yesterday the list of the ten approved COVID-19 vaccines and the number of doses required for the pilgrims during Hajj season 1443/2022.
- Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty) vaccine, two doses.
- Moderna (SpikeVax) vaccine, two doses.
- Oxford-AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), two doses,
- Janssen, one dose,
- CovoVax, two doses,
- Nuvaxovid (Novavax), two doses,
- Sinopharm, two doses,
- Sinovac, two doses,
- Covaxin, two doses,
- Sputnik V, two doses.
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said at a press conference on June 1 that many requirements were in place to perform Hajj this year, but “our top priority remains the safety of pilgrims and their safe return to their countries.”
Upon opening registration for this year’s Hajj, the ministry stressed that priority would be given to those who have not previously performed the rituals. The ministry added that those who are not fully immunized, as per their status on the Tawakkalna application, would be denied a Hajj permit.
