Flu Shot Advised for Arba’een Pilgrims

The Health Ministry has advised all Iranian pilgrims visiting the holy city of Karbala in Iraq for the Arba’een mourning rituals to get vaccinated against the flu. “Considering the large number of people flocking to Iraq, and given that the flu season has begun, it is essential that all travelers get the flu shot before leaving Iran,” said Health Minister Hassan Qazizadeh Hashemi, sepidonine.ir reported. Arba’een, which is one of the largest religious congregations in the world, is observed 40 days after Ashura, the martyrdom anniversary of the third Shia Imam, Imam Hussein (AS) which falls on November 20 this year.