"The ministry is ready to make an adjustment on the policy related to the meningitis vaccination regulation for Umrah and Hajj pilgrims if the Saudi Arabian government no longer mandates it," he stated.
The news that the meningitis vaccine is no longer necessary for Umrah pilgrims was earlier conveyed by Hajj and Umrah Execution Director General at the Religious Affairs Ministry Hilman Latief through a press statement on Saturday.
He acknowledged to have heard that the Saudi Arabian government no longer mandates the meningitis vaccine. The information that he heard states that the meningitis vaccine becomes a recommendation.
However, there has not been any official statement from the Saudi Arabian Government concerning this matter.
The Religious Affairs Ministry will coordinate with the authority in Saudi Arabia to obtain clarification on the meningitis vaccine policy.
According to Syahril, the government's response will depend on Saudi Arabia's decision based on the result of the clarification currently undertaken by the Religious Affairs Ministry and Health Ministry.
To this day, the government still refers to Health Ministerial Regulation No. 23 of 2018 as a legal umbrella that mandates future umrah and hajj pilgrims in Indonesia to receive meningitis vaccine.
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The regulation is bolstered by the recommendation from the Indonesian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (ITAGI) in accordance with ITAGI letter No. ITAGI/SR/14/2022 on September 18, 2022 on Meningitis Vaccination Provision Review Update.
ITAGI's recommendation stated that all future Hajj and Umrah pilgrims must receive strain ACW135Y meningitis vaccination 14 days before their departure to Saudi Arabia.
In the meantime, the Health Ministry continues to provide vaccination service and procure Meningitis vaccine supply to meet the vaccination demand.
Related news: Ministry's discussion forum deliberates hajj organization issues
Translator: Andi Firdaus, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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