April 16, 2026
Umrah Vaccines for Families in Luton: Getting Everyone Protected Before You Fly
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Taking the whole family for Umrah is one of the most meaningful things you can do together. Three generations making the journey. Children seeing the Kaaba for the first time. Parents fulfilling a lifelong intention. Grandparents completing what may be their final pilgrimage.
Getting everyone’s vaccines sorted, though, is a different kind of challenge. Different ages, different medical histories, different schedules. One child’s school certificate that might or might not still be valid. A grandmother with a heart condition. A toddler who has never had a travel vaccine before
Westbourne Pharmacy on Dunstable Road handles family Umrah vaccinations every week. One appointment, all ages, everything sorted. Book online at westbournepharmacy.com/book-appointment.
Taking the whole family for Umrah? Westbourne Pharmacy in Luton vaccinates all ages in a single appointment - children, parents and grandparents. Book online at westbournepharmacy.com/book-appointment.
The One Rule That Applies to Everyone
Before anything else, the mandatory requirement is the same regardless of age.
Saudi Arabia requires a valid Meningitis ACWY certificate for every pilgrim aged 1 and over. That means your ten-year-old needs one. Your seventy-year-old mother-in-law needs one. Every adult in the group needs one. The certificate must be dated at least 10 days before arrival in Saudi Arabia.
For a full explanation of the 10-day rule and exactly how it works, see our Meningitis ACWY vaccination guide.
KEY POINT – Every Family Member Aged 1+ Needs a Meningitis ACWY Certificate
Saudi Arabia applies this requirement without exception.
Children aged 1 and over, adults, and elderly pilgrims all need a valid certificate dated at least 10 days before arrival.
Infants under 1 are exempt.
Book everyone in at the same time so no one is left behind.
Vaccines by Age Group
Different members of the family may need slightly different things. Here is what to expect for each age group.
Children Aged 1-11
The mandatory Meningitis ACWY vaccine is safe and well-tolerated in children from age 1. At Westbourne we use the conjugate vaccine, the same type routinely given to children in the UK.
Beyond Meningitis ACWY, we recommend:
- Hepatitis A (£50) – safe from age 1, strongly recommended given food and water risks during Umrah
- Typhoid (£30) – safe from age 2, worth considering for children eating from shared or street food sources
- Routine UK vaccinations should be up to date before travel
Bring your child’s red book or any vaccination records you have. We can check what they have already had and what still needs doing.
Teenagers
Many UK teenagers received Meningitis ACWY at school, usually around age 13-14. The important question is whether that certificate meets current Saudi requirements.
Bring the certificate or vaccination record. We will check the date, the vaccine type, and whether it is still within the validity period for Saudi entry. If it has expired or does not meet requirements, a new vaccination is straightforward and quick.
Teenagers travelling to Saudi Arabia should also have:
- Hepatitis A – if not previously vaccinated
- Typhoid – if not previously vaccinated
- Seasonal flu – particularly if travelling with elderly relatives
Adults
Standard adult recommendations apply. The focus at Westbourne is making sure your Meningitis ACWY certificate is current and Saudi-compliant, then filling in any gaps in protection.
Most adults travelling from Luton for Umrah benefit from:
- Meningitis ACWY + Certificate (£45) – mandatory
- Hepatitis A (£50) – strongly recommended
- Typhoid (£30) – strongly recommended
- Seasonal flu – especially if travelling with vulnerable family members
Getting the whole family vaccinated before you fly means everyone arrives in Saudi Arabia protected and compliant. One appointment at Westbourne Pharmacy covers all ages.
Elderly Pilgrims
Older travellers face higher risk from several illnesses circulating during Umrah, particularly respiratory infections and gastrointestinal illness. Millions of pilgrims from dozens of countries in close quarters creates real exposure risk.
We strongly recommend:
- Meningitis ACWY + Certificate (£45) – mandatory, same as everyone else
- Seasonal flu – important for elderly travellers
- Hepatitis A (£50) – recommended
- Typhoid (£30) – recommended
If an elderly family member has existing health conditions or takes regular medications, add a note when booking online at westbournepharmacy.com/book-appointment. Our pharmacist will review before the appointment.
KEY POINT – School Meningitis Vaccines and Saudi Entry
Many teenagers and young adults had Meningitis ACWY at school.
This does not automatically mean they are covered for Umrah.
Saudi Arabia requires a valid certificate in the correct format, within the specified validity period.
Always bring previous certificates so we can confirm whether a new vaccination is needed.
Pregnant Travellers
Pregnancy does not automatically rule out Umrah vaccination. Meningitis ACWY is considered safe during pregnancy when the potential benefit outweighs any risk, but this is a clinical decision made on an individual basis.
If a family member is pregnant and planning to travel, call us on 01582 419432 before booking and speak to our pharmacist. We can advise whether vaccination is appropriate given the stage of pregnancy and other factors.
Booking a Family Appointment
Getting a group vaccinated efficiently takes a little coordination. Book online at westbournepharmacy.com/book-appointment and include these details in the notes field:
- How many people are travelling
- Their ages, especially for children
- Any existing certificates or vaccination records you have
- Any health conditions that might be relevant
- Your travel dates
We will book enough time to see everyone and prepare the right vaccines in advance. Turning up without calling ahead for a large family group can mean a wait, or a return visit if we need to prepare specific vaccines. Booking online in advance means we have everything prepared when you arrive.
The appointment covers consultation for each person, all vaccinations, and Saudi-compliant Meningitis ACWY certificates. Everything in one visit.
Getting every family member vaccinated before Umrah means you can focus entirely on your pilgrimage. Book your family appointment at Westbourne Pharmacy, 198b Dunstable Road, Luton.
Vaccine Prices for Families
- Meningitis ACWY + Certificate: £45 per person
- Hepatitis A: £50 per dose per person
- Typhoid: £30 per dose per person
- Hepatitis B: £40 per dose per person
- Combined Hepatitis A and B: £70 per dose per person
For a family of four needing Meningitis ACWY, Hepatitis A, and Typhoid, the total would be £500. Complete protection for everyone, no surprises at the counter.
For a full breakdown of all Umrah vaccine costs, see our full vaccine price list.
Timing Your Family Appointment
The earlier the better, but especially for families. Coordinating schedules for multiple people takes time. Booking 6-8 weeks before travel gives you flexibility to spread appointments if needed, allows time for any multi-dose vaccines, and avoids scrambling if one family member needs an additional jab.
The mandatory Meningitis ACWY certificate must be dated at least 10 days before arrival in Saudi Arabia. For a family, that means everyone needs to be vaccinated at least 10 days out. Leaving it to the week before creates unnecessary stress.
Westbourne is open until 7pm on weekdays and on Saturday, which makes family appointments more manageable around work and school.
KEY POINT – Book the Family Together
Vaccinating everyone at different times risks someone being missed.
Book a family appointment, bring everyone together, and leave with all certificates completed in one go.
Book online at
westbournepharmacy.com/book-appointment to arrange.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do children need Meningitis ACWY for Umrah?
A: Yes. Saudi Arabia requires Meningitis ACWY vaccination for all pilgrims aged 1 and over. Children aged 1 and above need the same certificate as adults. Infants under 1 are exempt. Book online at westbournepharmacy.com/book-appointment and add your children's ages in the notes field.
Q: Can we all get vaccinated in one family appointment?
A: Yes. Westbourne Pharmacy can vaccinate the whole family in a single visit - children, parents, and grandparents. Book online at
westbournepharmacy.com/book-appointment.
Q: Is the Meningitis ACWY vaccine safe for children?
A: Yes. The conjugate Meningitis ACWY vaccine is safe and routinely given to children from age 1. Side effects are typically mild - a sore arm and sometimes a low-grade fever for a day or two.
Q: My child had a Meningitis vaccine at school. Is that enough for Umrah?
A: It depends on when it was given and which vaccine was used. The Saudi certificate must be dated within the required validity period. Bring your child’s vaccination records to Westbourne and we will check whether it meets current Saudi requirements or whether a new vaccination is needed.
Q: Are Umrah vaccines safe during pregnancy?
A: Meningitis ACWY is considered safe during pregnancy when the benefit outweighs any risk, but this is a clinical decision. Book online at westbournepharmacy.com/book-appointment. Our pharmacist will review before the appointment. If you would prefer to speak to someone first, call 01582 419432.
Q: How much do family Umrah vaccines cost at Westbourne?
A: Meningitis ACWY including certificate costs £45 per person. Hepatitis A is £50 per dose and Typhoid is £30 per dose. All prices include consultation. No hidden fees.
Q: What vaccines do elderly family members need for Umrah?
A: Elderly pilgrims need the same mandatory Meningitis ACWY as everyone else. We also strongly recommend seasonal flu and Hepatitis A for older travellers. Come in for a consultation and we will assess individual needs.
Book Your Family Appointment
Westbourne Pharmacy: 198b Dunstable Road, Luton, LU4 8JJ
Phone: 01582 419432
Book online at westbournepharmacy.com/book-appointment with your travel dates. No one flies unprotected.
For specific information about the mandatory Meningitis ACWY requirement and the 10-day certificate rule, see our Meningitis ACWY vaccination guide.
Medically reviewed by Dilip Maroo, Superintendent Pharmacist, Westbourne Pharmacy. GPhC Registration: 1028853.