Obligatory rules for pilgrimage group to get meningitis vaccine was from Saudi Arabia Government through Diplomatic Note of Saudi Arabia Embassy in Jakarta , No. 211/94/71/577 dated June 1, 2006 and International Health Regulation 2005. In Diplomatic Note mentioned that every pilgrimage group and health personnel must get meningitis vaccine first before they get visa, said by Dr. Tjandra Yoga Adhitama, DG of Disease Control and Environmental Health, Ministry of Health in Jakarta , May 1, 2009 .

According to Prof. Tjandra Yoga, meningitis vaccine that given to Indonesia pilgrim group candidate is Mencevax ACWY meningitis vaccine. This vaccine in making process used animal free media culture, including free of bovine (cow) and porcine (pig). So meningitis vaccine used by Indonesian pilgrimage group was not contain pig substance, he added. Those vaccines is not only used by Indonesian pilgrim group but also used by countries that send pilgrim group such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Nigeria, Yaman, Malaysia, Philiphinnes, Singapore, Pakistan Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Kazakstan, Kuwait, Libanon and others. This information is released by Center for Public Communication, Secretariat General MOHRI. For queries, please call: 021-5290 7416-9 and 52921669, or send e-mail to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .