The Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board has announced that all intending pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj must receive a compulsory polio vaccination. This directive, which comes from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, is part of measures to ensure the health and safety of Nigerian pilgrims.
According to the Executive Secretary of the Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Abdulrahman Idris, all 2,200 intending pilgrims who registered with the board for this year’s Holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia must receive the polio vaccine six weeks before departure. Idris emphasized that any pilgrim who fails to receive the vaccine will not be allowed to travel.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has implemented various health and safety measures to protect Nigerian pilgrims from infectious diseases. These measures include:
- – Vaccination: Compulsory vaccination against polio and other infectious diseases.
- – Medical Screening: Medical screening for all pilgrims before departure to Saudi Arabia.
- – Health Education: Health education and awareness programs for pilgrims on infectious diseases and how to prevent them.
Polio vaccination is crucial in preventing the spread of poliomyelitis, a highly infectious disease that can cause paralysis and death. Nigeria has made significant progress in polio eradication efforts, but the disease still poses a threat, particularly in areas with low vaccination coverage.
Saudi Arabia requires all pilgrims to provide proof of vaccination against certain infectious diseases, including polio, before entering the country. The Saudi Arabian government has implemented strict health measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases during the Hajj.
The compulsory polio vaccination for Bauchi pilgrims is a necessary measure to ensure their health and safety during the 2025 Hajj. The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria and the Bauchi State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board are taking proactive steps to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and protect Nigerian pilgrims.