Vaccinations for Hajj: Enhancing health and global health security

Abstract

The Hajj pilgrimage, one of the world's largest and most diverse mass gatherings, poses unique challenges for preventing infectious disease outbreaks. Vaccinations are vital in reducing the risk and spread of diseases during this event. This narrative review examines the impact of vaccination programs on infectious disease mitigation during the Hajj and their broader implications for global health security (GHS). Mandatory vaccination protocols against Meningococcal Meningitis, Yellow Fever, Influenza, pneumococcal diseases, and COVID-19 have demonstrated significant success in controlling infection spread during Hajj. Furthermore, the integration of digital health passports or similar technologies offers the potential to enhance surveillance, streamline vaccination verification, and further minimize risks associated with mass gatherings. This study demonstrates the critical role of vaccination programs in protecting pilgrims. It also explores how technologies can be used to monitor pilgrim health status, enabling rapid identification and mitigation of potential outbreaks, thus contributing to GHS.