Pilgrims are at risk of catching meningitis

The warning comes as pilgrims from all over the world are making final preparations for the once-in-a-lifetime trip.

The Koran says it is the duty of every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it to make the Hajj pilgrimage at least once.

The Meningitis Trust says it has seen the disease appear in large Muslim communities in the UK, and an increase in childhood cases in the East End of London.

Pilgrims from Tower Hamlets are being offered vaccination at an east London mosque.

Vaccination programme

Professor of Child Health at the Royal London Hospital, Robert Booy, said: "Last year less than 50% of pilgrims were vaccinated. We are trying to maximise protection."

Professor Booy has already vaccinated 250 people and is hoping to give protection to 250 more in the next week.

The five-day holy festival starts in February.

The Hajj is one of the five pillars, or duties, of the Islamic faith and every year two million Muslims from around the world travel to the holy city of Mecca, the birthplace of the prophet Mohammed.

Around 20,000 Britons are expected to make the trip this year.

Two years ago the US government first warned about meningitis being brought back by Mecca pilgrims.