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Travel Vaccines and Advice for the Middle East

The Holy Land, Mecca, the Arabian Gulf; the Middle East is full of history and beautiful sites. But, travel to the region also comes with some risks.

On This Page:
What Vaccines Do I Need for the Middle East?
Are There Other Health Concerns in the Middle East?
What Are the Entry Requirements in the Middle East?
Travelling to Another Destination?

Passport Health offers medications, immunizations and personalized healthcare for your trip to the Middle East. See our What Vaccines… section to learn more.

Countries in this region include:

Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Cyprus
Georgia
Iraq
Israel
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon
Oman
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Palestinian Territories
Syria
Türkiye
United Arab Emirates
Yemen

The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for travellers to the Middle East: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis and polio.

Some routine vaccinations are also recommended, this includes: measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap), influenza, chickenpox, shingles and pneumonia.

Some polio cases have occured in various parts of the Middle East in the last few years. Vaccination is recommended.

While generally a routine vaccination, Saudi Arabia requires proof of having received a meningitis vaccination for entry during Hajj.

Proof of yellow fever vaccination may be required for some travellers, based on their specific itinerary.

See the tables below for more vaccination information:

Recommended Travel Vaccinations for the Middle East
VACCINE HOW DISEASE SPREADS DETAILS
Hepatitis A Contaminated Food
or Water 		Recommended for most
travellers to all regions.
Hepatitis B Contaminated Body
Fluids (Sex, needles, etc.) 		Recommended for most
travellers to all regions.
Typhoid Contaminated Food
or Water 		Recommended for most
travellers to all regions.
Cholera Contaminated Food
or Water 		May be recommended based
on your specific itinerary.
Yellow Fever Mosquito-borne May be required based
on your specific itinerary.
Rabies Infected Animals Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers
and those who may come in contact with animals.
Meningitis Airborne or
Direct Contact 		Generally a routine vaccine.
Required for travel for the Hajj.
Polio Infected Animals Generally a routine vaccination. Recommended or
required for some countries in region.

Recommended Routine Vaccinations for the Middle East
VACCINE HOW DISEASE SPREADS DETAILS
Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) Various Vectors Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born
after 1957. One time adult booster recommended.
Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis) Wounds or
Airborne 		One adult booster of pertussis recommended
for most travellers.
Influenza Airborne Generally recommended for all travellers.
Vaccine components change annually.
Chickenpox Direct Contact
or Airborne 		Given to those unvaccinated that
did not have chickenpox.
Shingles Direct Contact Recommended for individuals 50+. Vaccine can
still be given if you have had shingles.
Pneumonia Airborne All individuals 65+ or immunocompromised
should receive this vaccine.

Sources: PHAC, WHO and ISTM

MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) is a potentially fatal respiratory illness found across the Arabian Peninsula. Travellers are advised to wash their hands regularly and avoid contact with sick individuals. Camels are a potential source of the infection, be sure to wash your hands after coming in contact with an animal.

Many travellers underestimate the risk of travellers’ diarrhea. Studies show up to 70 percent will contract some form of the illness during their trip. Travellers’ diarrhea kits are an important part of any travel plan. They can help prevent illness and take care of symptoms quickly if they occur.

Dengue and chikungunya are also present in the region, be sure to use mosquito repellent and netting. Antimalarials may be recommended depending on your destination.

Most countries in the Middle East require visas for entry. This includes Saudi Arabia and Jordan. There are some vaccination requirements based on your destination and itinerary.

Do I Need a Passport or Visa for My Trip?
Passport Tourist Visa Business Visa Required
Vaccinations
Armenia table check mark
Azerbaijan table check mark table check mark table check mark
Bahrain table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Cyprus table check mark
Georgia table check mark
Iraq table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Israel table check mark
Jordan table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Kuwait table check mark table check mark table check mark
Lebanon table check mark table check mark table check mark
Oman table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Palestinian Territories table check mark
Qatar table check mark table check mark table check mark
Saudi Arabia table check mark table check mark table check mark table check mark
Syria table check mark table check mark table check mark
Turkey table check mark table check mark table check mark
United Arab Emirates table check mark table check mark
Yemen table check mark table check mark table check mark

Embassy information for each country is available on its own destination advice page.

Travelling outside of the Middle East? Learn more about your destination with our full compliment of destination advice pages!

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