Vaccinations in Saudi Arabia

Getting vaccinated in Saudi Arabia is a pretty straightforward procedure. And, although the county doesn’t have a mandatory vaccination schedule, vaccines are free and help protect you and others against infectious diseases.

This guide will explain everything you need to know about the topic, including:

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The vaccination system in Saudi Arabia

Before moving to Saudi Arabia, it’s a good idea to check which vaccinations you may need, especially if you’re coming from a country where certain diseases are more common. While the overall risk of infectious disease is relatively low, some vaccines are strongly recommended or even required for entry into the country.

Vaccinations in Saudi Arabia are managed by the Ministry of Health (MOH), which runs a national immunization program that offers free childhood vaccines, such as BCG, polio, Hepatitis B, and MMR.

Vaccines aren’t mandatory, but they are strongly recommended and widely accepted. Indeed, uptake is particularly high among children thanks to structured school-entry requirements and digital health tracking systems. And despite the COVID-19 pandemic, public trust in vaccines remains strong, largely due to clear government messaging and effective integration with the healthcare system.

Healthcare

The healthcare system in Saudi Arabia

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Insurance for Saudi vaccinations

Through its public healthcare system, Saudi Arabia ensures that the majority of vaccinations are free (or low-cost) and universally available to all citizens and GCC-nationals (Gulf Cooperation Council – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE). Non-GCC expats, however, are excluded from public coverage. Instead, they must have private health insurance to cover their stay.

There is a wide variety of health insurance providers in Saudi Arabia, including these global companies catering specifically to expats:

• APRIL International

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Guide to getting health insurance in Saudi Arabia

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Childhood vaccinations in Saudi Arabia

Saudi children receive free vaccinations at public clinics. Expat children have the option to get vaccinated at a private clinic, which, of course, requires private insurance coverage.

If you just had a baby, your newborn(s) will get immunized at the hospital.

Your doctor will give you a vaccination card. This details all of your child’s vaccines and the date they were administered. You should bring this along to any future vaccination appointments.

Mandatory and recommended vaccinations

Saudi Arabia doesn’t have mandatory vaccinations. However, the following are strongly recommended:

Other optional vaccinations in Saudi Arabia

Other vaccines available include:

• COVID-19
• Influenza

Vaccination schedule in Saudi Arabia

The following is a recommended vaccination schedule in Saudi Arabia:

COVID-19 vaccination in Saudi Arabia

Citizens and GCC nationals can access COVID-19 vaccines throughout Saudi Arabia at no cost. Visit the Ministry of Health’s website for the latest COVID-19 updates and guidelines.

Vaccinations for pensioners in Saudi Arabia

Adult vaccinations are not mandatory in Saudi Arabia. However, doctors encourage people to get a tetanus / diphtheria booster (Td) every 10 years to maintain immunity. Likewise, anyone over 60 is recommended to get vaccinated against:

• Common flu
• Herpes zoster (shingles)
• Pneumococcal diseases (PCV and PPSV23)
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Medical workers at primary care centers typically administer vaccines for pensioners, but nursing staff at local hospitals or medical care facilities can do it as well. The country also has home healthcare vaccination services, especially for frail seniors who struggle to visit clinics.

Vaccinations for special groups in Saudi Arabia

Beyond routine schedules, certain groups in Saudi Arabia receive special vaccination recommendations. For example:

• Healthcare workers – DtaP, Hepatitis B, influenza, meningococcal (MenACWY), rabies, and varicella
• Pilgrims and people in mass gatherings (Hajj/Umrah) – meningococcal (MenACWY), polio, and yellow fever
• People with chronic or immune conditions – Hepatitis A and B, influenza, meningococcal (MenACWY), and pneumococcal (PCV, PPSV23)
• Pregnant people – DtaP and influenza

Travel vaccinations in Saudi Arabia

All travellers to Saudi Arabia must be up to date with routine vaccinations, such as meningococcal (MenACWY), polio, and DtaP. Depending on your country of origin, you may need additional vaccines, for example, against:

• Diptheria
• Hepatitis A
• MMR
• Rabies
• Tetanus
• Typhoid
• Tuberculosis

Useful resources

• Ministry of Health – official government website for the ministry responsible for healthcare in Saudi Arabia
• Council for Cooperative Health Insurance – official website for the council in charge of Saudi health insurance