H1N1 vaccinations to ensure Haj pilgrims are doubly safe

Abu Dhabi: The General Islamic Affairs Authority is preparing to vaccinate some 6,000 pilgrims against the H1N1 virus as soon as the Ministry of Health receives the first batch of vaccines towards the end of this month.

Dr Mohammad Mattar Al Kaabi, the head of the authority, told Gulf News that the authority is currently coordinating with the Ministry of Health and the National Committee for Combating H1N1 to finalise procedures for vaccinating all pilgrims before they leave for the Holy Land.

Dr Al Kaabi added that every pilgrim will have to take two different vaccines, one to protect against infectious diseases and the other against H1N1. "The government will supply every pilgrim with a vaccination certificate according to the procedures followed in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

"Saudi Arabia will only permit pilgrims who hold a vaccination certificate and another one showing that they are not infected with the H1N1 virus to enter the country," he said

Dr Al Kaabi said the UAE Haj delegation has rented a plot of land in the Aziziyah area of Makkah and opened a camp complete with a field hospital, medical drug storage facility, beds and quarantine rooms to attend to sick pilgrims, he said.

"There is complete coordination and communication with all special Haj convoys, through 10 telephone lines in Makkah which are active 24 hours seven days a week," he said.

Dr Al Kaabi urged all special Haj convoys to strictly comply with directives issued by the UAE's official delegation.

Children, pregnant women and the elderly are not allowed to perform Haj in view of the H1N1 threat.

He added that any pilgrim who shows the H1N1 disease symptoms will be quarantined and will not be allowed to complete the special Haj rituals.

Gulf News has learnt that the officially registered number of pilgrims this year is around 6,500. Official sources expect this number to jump to 10,000.

A source said that the Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the General Islamic Affairs Authority, has set up an integrated plan to cater to the growing number of pilgrims.