Nov. 7 (Bloomberg) -- Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, started vaccinating government health workers against swine flu as Muslims prepare for the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, risking the spread of the disease.

Health officials working during the pilgrimage, or hajj, have been given priority for the vaccine, the state-owned Saudi Press Agency reported, citing a Saudi health ministry statement today. The health ministry allocated supplies of the vaccine for government workers in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

Saudi Arabia, whose economy is the biggest in the Arab world, is working to stop an outbreak of swine flu as pilgrims from 160 countries visit Mecca. The hajj, the world’s largest annual gathering, is due to take place this month.

Other Islamic countries are also trying to prevent H1N1 influenza, or swine flu, from being spread by returning pilgrims. Egypt will give doses of a vaccine to visitors. Iran set age restrictions barring pilgrims over 65 and children under 12, the state-run news agency Mehr reported in August.

Regulators in Saudi Arabia approved GlaxoSmithKline Plc’s vaccine against H1N1 flu, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, said on Nov. 1. The Saudi drug authority collaborated with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency and the Geneva-based World Health Organization before approving London-based Glaxo’s flu vaccine, Pandemrix.

To contact the reporter on this story: Glen Carey in Riyadh at gcarey8@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 7, 2009 06:42 EST