Traveling Abroad During Ramadan is Rewarding

The British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) says Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims, with many 'Brits' traveling abroad to visit friends and family.

This year, the M\BIMA says the holy month is expected to begin on February 28, 2025, as the official start of Ramadan follows the lunar calendar, so it depends on the sighting of the moon.

In 2024, 30 million pilgrims performed Umrah during Ramadan, the Islamic pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Approximately 13.5 million pilgrims were international travelers, including United Kingdom residents.

As of February 12, 2025, TravelHealthPro offers updated advice about recommended vaccines, mosquito-spread infections such as chikungunya, dengue, malaria, and respiratory illnesses like Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) at your destination.

While many diseases have approved vaccines available in 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved a MERS-CoV vaccine candidate.

If you are traveling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Ministry of Health has established vaccine requirements/recommendations for pilgrims who wish to obtain an Entry Visa to perform Umrah.

Even if time is short, last-minute travel advice is helpful, as vaccines can be given just before departure. Pharmacists or travel clinics to make sure all your recommended travel and routine vaccines, including flu, measles, mumps and rubella, polio, diphtheria, and tetanus, are on date.

If you have any medical conditions, ensure to discuss your travel plans with your healthcare provider.

Furthermore, check the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office and the U.S. Department of State foreign travel advice for information on safety and security at your destination.