INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Ministry of Health (MOH) of Bahrain has announced that the Meningococcal vaccine is now necessary for foreign workers entering the
country to avoid the spread of meningococcal disease.In line with this regulation, the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) has
verified that the vaccination requirement will likewise use to Sri Lankan workers taking a trip to Bahrain.The vaccination program for Sri
Lankans will be carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Sri Lankan Embassy in Bahrain, in cooperation with the State of
Bahrain and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), following the guidelines of Bahraini health authorities and the GCC, it said.Meningococcal
disease is a serious infectious disease triggered by the Neisseria meningitidis germs, which can be deadly if left untreated.Meningitis and
meningococcemia remain substantial causes of morbidity, death, and disability in both established and developing countries.The GCC
guidelines emphasize the importance of meningococcal vaccination as an essential component of their immunization method, especially in
regions with high varieties of migrant employees, to decrease the spread of the disease.This new vaccination requirement lines up with the
broader public health objectives aimed at safeguarding the health of employees and avoiding possible outbreaks.Bahrain has long been a
popular work destination for Sri Lankan migrant employees, with the need continuing to grow.According to the Foreign Employment Bureau, over
4,000 Sri Lankan workers moved to Bahrain in 2024.
