Hajj pilgrims should get vaccinated against Mers-COV: Jusuf Kalla

Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla has suggested that likely Indonesian Hajj pilgrims should get vaccinated against the Corona Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-COV) before leaving for Saudi Arabia.

"Before departing, they should get the vaccination first. Once they reach Saudi, they should not get too close to camels," Kalla said here on Friday.

So far, no MERS cases have been recorded in Indonesia, but the government should take precautions against the disease ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage season to prevent any of its citizens from catching the infection, he stated.

Earlier, Indonesian Health Minister Nila F. Moeloek had urged would-be Hajj pilgrims to have medical check-ups and to prepare themselves against the MERS virus.

"Every would-be Hajj pilgrim must take care of his or her health from the beginning," Moeloek emphasized.

President Joko Widodo recently chaired a limited cabinet meeting to discuss efforts to prevent MERS from affecting Indonesia. The meeting was attended by Minister Moeloek and the religious affairs minister.

"We have to realize that in general, our Hajj pilgrims are old and categorically at high risk. Therefore, we remind them to take care of their health, to use face masks and to be hygienic," the health minister noted.