All travelers You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccines may also be required for travel.

Measles Infants (6 through 11 months old): 1 dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine before travel. This dose does not count as the first dose in the routine childhood vaccination series.

People 12 months old or older, with no evidence of immunity or no written documentation of any doses: 2 doses of MMR vaccine before travel. The 2 doses must be given 28 days apart.

People 12 months old or older who have written documentation of 1 dose and no other evidence of immunity: 1 additional dose before travel, at least 28 days after the previous dose.

Routine vaccines Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot.

Most travelers Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.

Hepatitis A CDC recommends this vaccine because you can get hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in Saudi Arabia, regardless of where you are eating or staying.

Typhoid You can get typhoid through contaminated food or water in Saudi Arabia. CDC recommends this vaccine for most travelers, especially if you are staying with friends or relatives, visiting smaller cities or rural areas, or if you are an adventurous eater.

Some travelers Ask your doctor what vaccines and medicines you need based on where you are going, how long you are staying, what you will be doing, and if you are traveling from a country other than the US.

Hepatitis B You can get hepatitis B through sexual contact, contaminated needles, and blood products, so CDC recommends this vaccine if you might have sex with a new partner, get a tattoo or piercing, or have any medical procedures.

Malaria When traveling in Saudi Arabia, you should avoid mosquito bites to prevent malaria. You may need to take prescription medicine before, during, and after your trip to prevent malaria, depending on your travel plans, such as where you are going, when you are traveling, and if you are spending a lot of time outdoors or sleeping outside. Talk to your doctor about how you can prevent malaria while traveling. Areas of Saudi Arabia with risk of malaria: Asir and Jizan emirates by border with Yemen. None in the cities of Jeddah, Mecca, Medina, Riyadh, and Ta’if. See more detailed information about malaria in Saudi Arabia.

Meningitis (Meningococcal disease) This vaccine is required if you are traveling to Saudi Arabia to take part in the Hajj. See Hajj Pilgrimage for more information.

Rabies Although rabies can be found in dogs, bats, and other mammals in Saudi Arabia, it is not a major risk to most travelers. CDC recommends this vaccine only for these groups: Travelers involved in outdoor and other activities in remote areas that put them at risk for animal bites (such as adventure travel and caving).

People who will be working with or around animals (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, and researchers).

People who are taking long trips or moving to remote areas in Saudi Arabia

Children, because they tend to play with animals, might not report bites, and are more likely to have animal bites on their head and neck.