The Ministry of Health has announced that the Meningococcal vaccine is now mandatory for all foreign workers entering Bahrain, including Sri Lankans.
The Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau, in coordination with the Sri Lankan Embassy in Bahrain and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will implement the vaccination program based on guidelines from Bahrain and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Meningococcal disease, caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacterium, is a severe infection with a high mortality rate if untreated. The GCC recommends vaccination to prevent outbreaks, especially in regions with large migrant worker populations.
Bahrain remains a key employment destination for Sri Lankans, with over 4,000 workers departing for Bahrain in 2024 alone.
