Databank. Vaccination campaign for Muslim pilgrims

Citation

(2002), "Databank. Vaccination campaign for Muslim pilgrims", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 32 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2002.01732baf.011

Databank. Vaccination campaign for Muslim pilgrims

Databank

Vaccination campaign for Muslim pilgrims

The Department of Health has recently announced details of a campaign aimed at Muslim communities to ensure that all travellers to the annual Hajj Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca are vaccinated against meningitis. It is estimated that 50,000 pilgrims travel from England to take part in the pilgrimage. In the last two years two cases of an unusual strain of meningitis have occurred and in 2001 ten people died. A multi-lingual leaflet highlighting the need for immunisation against meningitis and advice on other health issues affecting Hajj travellers will be distributed through mosques, travel agents, GP surgeries, Health Authorities, NHS trusts and immunisation co-ordinators. A new vaccine will protect against four different strains of meningitis and entry to the Hajj in 2002 may be refused entry without a valid certificate showing they have received this vaccine.