'Unfit' urged to skip Haj (AT, Kuwait)
arabtimes.com, Kuwait, 01/07/2009
Saudi Arabia has urged the elderly, people with chronic illnesses, children and pregnant women to postpone Hajj this year for their own safety and to prevent a large-scale spread of swine flu (H1N1). Saudi Health Minister Abdullah al-Rabeeah also advised intending pilgrims to take seasonal flu vaccines as well the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available, before going to Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom plans to increase by 20 percent its stock of the main antiviral flu drug Tamiflu , according to Health Ministry spokesman, Khaled Mirghalani.